Archive for the ‘Contemporary Romance’ Category

Christmas, Actually ~ Mistletoe Kisses Grand Finale Giveaway Blitz

Posted: November 23, 2014 in Book Blast, Contemporary Romance, giveaways, Holidays, Romance
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A themed tour through Prism Book Tours.

It’s the MISTLETOE KISSES TOUR Grand Finale for
Christmas, Actually
By Anna Adams, Anna J. Stewart, and Melinda Curtis
Three Harlequin Heartwarming novellas, where a sweet kiss takes place under the mistletoe.

Did you miss any of the excerpts, guest post, or reviews on the tour?
Feel free to go back and check out all the stops now!

Launch – Intro to the Collection

Christmas, Actually – three holiday stories about three siblings living in Christmas Town, Maine, where tradition has it that a kiss on Christmas Eve in the town square gazebo will lead to wedding bells in the new year!

Christy’s Cozy Corners – An Interview with Anna Adams

How was it decided that the story would take place in Christmas Town, Maine?

We were looking for a setting that spoke of the holidays, and I’d lived in Maine in a town that decorated the green for Christmas. I described it, and someone suggested Christmas Town as a name for our fictional village.

Coffee Books & Art – Excerpt

Snowflakes hit the windshield and splayed into star shapes while Bing Crosby crooned his dreams of a white Christmas. Sophie Palmer tried to sing along, but her mind was already racing up the icy interstate to Christmas Town, Maine, where the father of her unborn child now lived.

The Book Lovers’ Lounge – Christmas Town by Anna Adams

And I imagined my own broken hero, Jack Banning, watching from the sidewalk, there in the town, but watching from the boundaries because he doesn’t belong any more.

Getting Your Read On – Review

“Yeah, I really loved my time in Christmas Town with the Banning family. Each story was unique and romantic. I loved all the characters. They were real and identifiable. It is the perfect book to curl up with as the days get colder and we get closer to Christmas.”

Colorimetry – The Power of a First Kiss by Anna Adams

He’s at her house, killing time because he can’t go home and face his brother’s happiness when another friend calls to offer him an investment opportunity. Mary is leaning against George, also listening on the phone, when finally, he admits to his feelings. He takes her in his arms for a kiss he clearly doesn’t want even as he desires nothing in the whole wide world more than the hometown love of his life.

Southern Chelle – Review

“I don’t think I’ve read anything by any of these authors before, but these novellas have me falling hard for their work! I used to receive the Harlequin Heartwarming books monthly, but I didn’t have room for anymore paperback books in my house and had to give it up. I’m so glad they’ve continued these offerings!”

Kelly P’s Blog – An Interview with Anna J. Stewart

  1. What do you hope readers will take with them after reading your story?

There’s nothing better than a happily ever after–that’s why I write (and read) romance, but that’s kind of the easy answer. I think at its core, the story is about learning how to be open with others, to tell them how you’re really feeling about situations that are emotionally damaging them. Dean, Callie and Eliza all have to do this at some point during the story and once they do, the happily ever after is possible.

My Love for Reading Keeps Growing – Excerpt

“Is this a bad time?” The combination of sympathy and amusement shining in green eyes, along with the tamed Irish lilt, called to mind fields of clover dotting rolling hills. She’d spent many a night and more than a few days dreaming of traveling to the Emerald Isle. Now it seemed as if Ireland had come to her.

Shoulder-length, golden-streaked hair brushed the worn leather of the bomber jacket he wore over snug jeans, the hint of a plain white T-shirt peeking from under the collar.

The Wonderings Of One Person – Dream Cast for The Christmas Wish

There are some actors who just “hit” from the second I lay eyes on them. When looking for images of my Dean, I did not have to look much further than Chris Hemsworth.


Casting my heroines has always been problematic for me. Typically, I use another medium for inspiration (I’m a doll collector), but when I saw this picture of Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries), I knew that was Callie.

Christian Chick’s Thoughts – Review

“The Christmas Date: The instant I started reading this story, I knew I was going to love it. There’s just something about those You’ve Got Mail-esque stories that I love. Nick and Gina are both so likeable, and their chemistry lept off the page. This was easily my favorite of the three stories!”

Bookworm Lisa – Review

“Each of the author’s did a great job in telling their story. I liked the descriptions and the characters.

This book is a fun way to get into the holiday season and find a little clean Christmas romance.”

fundinmental – My Top Ten Christmas Traditions by Anna J. Stewart

I LOVE Christmas time. Truly, from about Halloween on, I’m all about the tinsel, the trees and the music (why do they have to stop the Xmas carols on the 26th?!). For years now it’s just been my mom and me during the holiday season, but we’ve got our traditions…and they start early…even before we carve the Thanksgiving turkey.

Beck Valley Books – An Interview with Malinda Curtis

What’s your favorite aspect of the story?

One of my favorite aspects is Gina’s parents. They’ve tried for years to do what they thought was right and it strained their character and their relationship. This year, they rejoin the pageant and the town’s festivities in a very public way. It’s a small part of the story, but a set of vignettes that I love.

Mel’s Shelves – Review

“I loved seeing the siblings in each other’s stories and enjoyed getting to know them. These stories are quick, easy reads which are perfect to get you in the mood for Christmas. I love that they’re all clean so I can recommend it to everyone! Christmas Town was a fun place to visit!”

Painted Words – Review

“But what I truly loved about this book was that it didn’t feel at all repetitive which can be a big hindrance to books like this especially if written by multiple authors. It was an absolutely beautiful story, one that I look forward to reading again next year at this time and it was the perfect way to start off the season.”

I Am A Reader – Melinda Curtis’s Favorite Treat at Christmas Time (with recipe)

My mom is a fan of Jell-o salad. At Christmas, she’d serve us a slice of Jello salad on a leaf of lettuce with a dollop of mayonnaise on top. The first time Mr. Curtis had this dish, he happily took a big bite, expecting it to be whipped cream on top. Kudos to him for keeping his disappointment to himself.

Deal Sharing Aunt – Excerpt

In the wee hours of Christmas Eve morning, Gina stood at the edge of the town square and traced the deep, jagged scar that ran from her left temple to her jawline with the tip of a gloved finger, as if her touch could erase the past. The small ball of worry, the one that hadn’t let her sleep last night, expanded like bread dough in her chest, pressing against her lungs.

I should have told him.

Wishful Endings – Excerpt (4-star review here)

“Are you kidding? You’re beautiful. Why would he do that?

“You have to say that. You’re standing in my kitchen.” With me practically in your arms. Nevertheless, she hugged his words to her heart. No one had ever called her beautiful before.

JoJo’s Corner – 10 Gifts Ideas for Your Teen/Young Adult & Review

I’m a little bit anal about the holidays. I have a basic list I work from that my kids will enjoy or find useful. They’re all in college now, but that doesn’t mean they want a package of socks for Christmas. Here’s a list of 10 suggested gift giving categories for your teen/young adult…

Review: “Christmas, Actually is the perfect collection of stories to cuddle up and enjoy on a cold wintry night!”

Undercover Book Reviews – Review

“Three stories in one book, a great way to start the Christmas season off! Anna Adams takes you on three separate journeys in the life of Jack, Callie, and Gina as each tells their own story. The plot is good in each one.”

Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Review

What a fun story! The reader is taken on a journey through Christmas Town, Maine and we get to see snippets of what makes this town special through the eyes of three different characters.

Christmas, Actually
by Anna Adams, Anna J. Stewart, & Melinda Curtis
Clean Contemporary Romance
Paperback & Ebook, 202 pages
November 1st 2014 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Discover the magic of Christmas Town, Maine!

Three lonely strangers come to Christmas Town, Maine, and find love with three Banning siblings in the town that celebrates the holidays by decorating its square with lights and ribbons and a holiday pageant on Christmas Eve. Tradition has it that a kiss beneath the mistletoe that night means marriage for the couple in the new year.

The Christmas Gift by Anna Adams:
Jack Banning promised to support the mother of his unborn child… But she doesn’t need money, she only needs him.

The Christmas Wish by Anna J. Stewart:
Callie Banning’s student has declared war on Christmas, so it’s up to her to help the little girl—and her widowed father—believe again.

The Christmas Date by Melinda Curtis:
Gina Vernay is about to meet her online mystery date…and she’s in for the surprise of a lifetime!

Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Harlequin – iTunes

About the Authors

Anna Adams wrote her first romance in wet sand. The Atlantic Ocean washed it away, but Anna kept going. Her stories are of love, like the proverbial stone in a lake, making ripples that spread and contract and involve. From Iceland to Hawaii, and points in between, Anna and her own hero share with children and family and friends who’ve become family. All this living and loving gives Anna plenty of fodder for stories of love set in real life. Come along and live them with her!

Website – Goodreads – Facebook – Twitter – Pinterest

Anna J. Stewart can’t remember a time she didn’t have a book in her hand or a story in her head and credits her mother never saying no to a book for turning her into a writer. Anna lives in Northern California with an overly attentive cat named Snickers and is happiest when setting her heroes and heroines on their road to happily ever after amidst family, fun and laughter.

Website – Goodreads – Facebook – Twitter – Pinterest

Melinda Curtis grew up on an isolated sheep ranch, where mountain lions had been seen and yet she roamed unaccompanied. Being a rather optimistic, clueless of danger, sort she took to playing “what if” games that led her to become an author. She spends days trying to figure out new ways to say “He made her heart pound.” That might sound boring, but the challenge keeps her mentally ahead of her 3 kids and college sweetheart husband.

Website – Goodreads – Facebook – Twitter – Tumblr – Pinterest

 

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Tour-Wide Giveaway

– Gift Card Prize Pack: $20 Amazon gift card and ebook of Christmas, Actually (open internationally)
– US Prize Pack: Paperback of Christmas, Actually and three Christmas ornaments (US only)
– 3 ebooks of Christmas, Actually (open internationally)
Ends November 30th

Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

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….so she ran. Breathing Black ~ Cover Reveal and Giveaway

Posted: October 10, 2014 in Adult Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Cover Reveal, Excerpt, giveaways, thriller
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It’s time for the Cover Reveal of Breathing Black

I can’t wait for you to see it!

Are you ready?

I am!

Here ya go!

Breathing Black cover GR SW(1)

New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance/Thriller

Releasing December 2, 2014

Cover designed by Okay Creations

Pre-Order on Amazon

Goodreads

GRITTY. INTENSE. EMOTIONALLY HONEST.
A stunning debut novel that will leave you breathless.

A desolate childhood; a scarred, jaded, damaged girl. Larkin Grant knew she couldn’t end up like her mother … so she ran. All her belongings packed in the back of a rusted, brown Cadillac, her best friend June in the passenger seat as the co-pilot, she fled Aspen and never looked back.

A new life in a new city, Larkin was finally starting to breathe again, an unfamiliar sense of happiness seeping into her lungs. Landon Black, the boy she loved from afar, came back into her life despite leaving him and her awful memories buried hundreds of miles away. A weakened pulse brought back to life.

He said she was beautiful. She was starting to believe him. He pursued her and changed the course of everyone’s plans. Life had dealt Larkin a cruel hand, but maybe this was it. Maybe the boy that never knew she existed finally saw her and came to free her from the darkness of her past.

But we are never truly free. There are secrets that bind us and lies that unravel from the most beautiful of lips. Blackness that suffocates and makes us question everything we thought we knew. Larkin and Landon are intertwined in ways they never imagined, their future unclear as ghosts come back to haunt them.

Friendship. Revenge. Love. Drugs. Murder. Deceit.

The first in a two-book series, Breathing Black is a mix of suspense and breathless romance. It’s a provocative tale that challenges what one is willing to do to protect the ones they love. An emotional journey where trust isn’t an option and falling in love never hurt so bad.

Breathing Black Quote Nerves

 

EXCERPT

My mother once said love is like a drug, fast and euphoric. Licking lips, high on the idea it’s going to last forever, until you’re clawing at your skin trying to escape the destructive poison you let inside.

 

I woke up to my phone vibrating in my purse. The realization of the darkness that surrounded me came crashing back into my pounding head along with everything else that had taken place. I sat up and crawled on the cold tile floor, following the sound of my phone drumming into the ground. I grabbed it out of my purse and dismissed an unknown Colorado area code number.

4:30 p.m. I’d been in this bathroom for hours.

By choice.

I didn’t want to leave, and I didn’t want move or face reality, so I chose to lie there and let the crippling fog of sleep take over so I could pretend none of it happened.

I peeked under the bathroom door into his office. It was dark and silent so I felt up the wall finding the light switch and turned it on. Walking over to the bathroom sink and looking into the mirror was painful, a visible reminder of how pathetic I truly was. Splashing water on my face wouldn’t rinse away the misery. I left as quickly as possible, peeking out of the blinds into the hallway until the coast was clear so I could open the door and run down the emergency exit stairs.

Right when I got home, I got into the bathtub. All I wanted to do was cleanse myself of Landon Black, but the water wouldn’t get hot enough, and my hands couldn’t scrub fast enough. I wanted to wash away the way he made me feel. I wanted to wash away everything he did to me Saturday night. I was so disgusted with myself. How could I be so blind? Sobs strangled my lungs as my cries tore up my throat until after a while I finally just stopped. Like a blown fuse, my body shut off. I lay in a white bathroom, in the white tub, with white noise resonating in my ears, yet all I could think about was red. I sat in the bathtub letting the hot water that had now turned to ice soak my skin. He used me. Everything that happened between us was a goddamn lie. So many questions raced through my mind. The biggest one was why?

Breathing Black Quote Flaws

 

To sign-up for the Breathing Black Tour this December 2nd – 20th , visit AToMR’s site!

Piper Payne is hosting a reveal giveaway!

 Enter to win an ARC of Breathing Black and a $25 Amazon Gift Crad.

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

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About the Author

piper

My love for literature and writing is an addiction. My mind is continually telling stories and I have a queue of books I want to write being stacked up in my brain. I don’t know how to write pretty and perfect so I write perfectly flawed and unpredictable. Just like life.

I’m married to my best friend and I’m mother to three little miracles. I love going to farmers markets, bookstores, and long drives with my family in my ruby red Bronco. I also have an unhealthy love for makeup, Oreos, Halloween, queso dip, psychic readings, sushi, massages, and Redd’s Apple Ale.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Teaser Tuesdays #82 ~ Leaves by Michael Baron

Posted: September 23, 2014 in Contemporary Romance, Teaser Tuesdays
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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

 

TeaserTuesdays2014e

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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My Teaser for today is from

Leaves

by Michael Baron

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Genre: Contemporary Romance

Teaser #1 from page 47 in the print copy.

She looked around the kitchen. her two sous chefs absenting the room, knowing they would best be in the way for the next fifteen minutes. Tarragon and mustard? No, much too French. She could dice some tomatoes and add a bit of cream. No, you’d barely be able to tell the difference. Cardamom would clash. Cinnamon could work – she’d keep it in mind. Dill? Not really. Horseradish? Please.

Teaser #2 from page 52 in the print copy

This kitchen, this porch, this railing, would belong to someone new then. Maybe eventually another person would love standing here as much as she did, would feel wrapped in  its embrace, would develop comforting sense memories from the sound of tires on the gravel drive, or the squealing of a little girl on the swing set across the way, or the slightly discordant church bells down the block.

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I hadn’t started to read Leaves when I went searching through it to find a couple of teasers. But then I felt a need to go the beginning and I’m now almost a third of the way through it. It’s delightful.

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Synopsis

Welcome to Oldham, CT, a small town rich in Colonial heritage while being utterly contemporary. Situated along the Connecticut River Valley, Oldham bursts with color every fall, as the leaves on its trees evolve into an unmatched palette of scarlet, orange, purple, yellow, and bronze. For more than three decades, the Gold family has been a central part of Oldham in the fall, its Sugar Maple Inn a destination for “leaf-peepers” from all over the country, and its annual Halloween party a stirring way to punctuate the town’s most active month.

But this year, more than just the leaves are changing. With the death of their parents, the Gold siblings, Maria, Maxwell, Deborah, Corrina, and Tyler, have decided to sell the Sugar Maple Inn, and this year’s Halloween party will be the last. As October begins, the Golds contend with the finality that faces them, and the implications it has for a family that has always been so close. For some, it means embracing new challenges and new love. For others, it means taking on unimagined roles. And for others, it means considering the inconceivable. Complicating it all is a series of “hauntings” that touch each of the Gold siblings, a series of benign interventions that will remain a mystery until October draws to a close.

Filled with romance, tension, and unforgettable family drama, Leaves is the first in a series of novels about a world and a family that readers will want to make their own.

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How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

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My Review of Forever Kinda Love by Clara Stone ~ Tour and Giveaway

Posted: September 4, 2014 in Blog Tour, Contemporary Romance, giveaways, Mature Young Adult, reviews
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Last month I was thrilled to be a part of the cover reveal for Forever Kinda Love.

Today, I’m part of the tour!

Got lots of fun for you. If the sweet cover doesn’t hook you, the blurb will surely reel you in.

Enjoy my review, check out the cast of characters, and don’t forget to enter the fun giveaway!

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Title: Forever Kinda Love

Author: Clara Stone

Release date: August 15th, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: Mature Young Adult

Cover Design: Regina Wamba at Mae I Design & Photography

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FOREVER KINDA LOVE

Lovelly #1

ForeverKindofLove_ebooksm

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MY REVIEW

You are gonna love Heath and Ace.

They’ve been best friends ever since Heath met Ace at the hospital. Her mother had died and he reached out to a little girl, looking so lost and alone.

Now, ten years later and almost out of school, they are still best friends. But something is changing. They are becoming aware of each other in a different way. Or is it just that they are tired of fighting something that’s been growing for years.

Do they dare to risk their friendship? You’re not supposed to fall in love with your best friend.

Do you remember your first love? How you couldn’t think of anything but that person? What are they doing right now? Are they thinking of me too? Do they love me as much as I love them?

With Heath and Ace it’s even more intense.

Heath has been there for Ace through thick and thin, always thinking of her first, doing everything he can to make sure she is safe and happy. He melted my heart. His love for Ace was incredible and without question.

Ace knew Heath would always have her back, always be there when she needed him. And she’d always be there for him. I kept hoping she’d make her move. Finally admit her feelings and let love flow.

These two always told each other everything. There were no secrets between them, until now. Until how they felt for each other changed. And when Ace gets some disturbing news, I feared for these two young lovers. If ever two people were meant to be together, it was Heath and Ace.

I kept thinking, don’t you dare. Like the author could hear me and give me the ending I wanted, I demanded. As much as I wanted to know what would happen, I was almost afraid to find out.

Forever kinda love. You see it in the movies. You read about it in books. You hear rumors that it exists. You might even have found it or know someone who did. For those of you who haven’t found it, this book gives you hope.

4 STARS

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I’ve read other books by this author and when she asked if I’d like to read Forever Kinda Love I was excited. Her other books were more fantasy, but this would be a romance. I had to give it a go.

Thanks Clara. Love rules!

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Meet the characters!

forever kind of love collage

Synopsis:

Life’s. Little. Surprises.

The last thing seven-year-old Carrigan “Ace” Casper foresaw was an eight-year-old Heath Lovelly walking into her life the day her mother died. From that moment on, Heath sticks by her side, slowly becoming her strength, her confidant, and her entire world. What she doesn’t know is, she’s his saving grace, too.

Ten years later, Ace is handed another crippling challenge that threatens everything in her almost perfect life. Only, this time, she doesn’t turn to Heath, hiding the truth instead. But Heath knows Ace too well and won’t back down easily. He’s ready to do whatever it takes and will stay by her side until she accepts that their love is the kinda love worth fighting for.

Will he be her forever triumph or her unexpected downfall?

Two lives.

One story.

And an unexpected journey to falling in love.

 Buy Links:

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iBooks

Paperback from Amazon / Signed Paperback Directly from me –US ONLY

About the Author:

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Priya Kanaparti lives in the beautiful city of Boise, ID. Unlike what most believe about Idaho, it’s more than a sack full of potatoes. When she’s not writing, you’ll catch Priya reading YA and NA books, mostly romance, and enjoying time with her family. She is a proud CW TV addict.

She also writes Mature YA and New Adult romance under the name Clara Stone. She is published through Reuts Publications.

Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads | Pinterest

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Priya is doing something different! She decided to giveaway ebooks by other authors with similar themes to FKL–aka Friends to love– in addition to a handful of other books she really enjoyed reading in the YA contemporary Romance category!

Three winners (International) –
Each winner to pick an eBook of their choice from the following list:

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover;
Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine;
Fine Art of Pretending By Rachel Harris;
Biggest Flirts by Jennifer Echols;
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally;
Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg;
Click to Subscribe by LM Augustine;
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins;

Crash by Nicole Williams;
When it Happens by Susane Colasanti;
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell;
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Alkalis;
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry;
Dante’s Girl by Courtney Cole

Two winners can win Swag (US Only) –

Jewelery : FKL Necklace, earrings, and bracelet plus keychain, magnet, and book mark.

Click on the Rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Check out the cover reveal for Pandora, Wild Child by Sunniva Dee

Posted: August 5, 2014 in Contemporary Romance, Cover Reveal, New Adult
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Pandora Twitter

 Check out the cover reveal for Pandora, Wild Child by Sunniva Dee, designed by CT Cover Creations. 

What do you think? What catches your eye!

Pandora

 
Pandora, Wild Child by Sunniva Dee
Publication date: October 28th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
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Synopsis:

I’m free. Fucking free!

I’m in college with my best friends and far, far from home!
With my Scheuermann’s disease as the excuse, my father kept me locked up at home all through high school. Here in Deepsilver, I can finally be me, Pandora, so—

Why the hell should I hold back?

They accept our fake IDs at Smother, our local haunt. I’m the life of the party, everyone loves me—hell, I could get away with murder in this place! Drunk off my ass, I dance on the bar, and—

I’m on top of the world!

I need to get my shit together, though. If I don’t pull off good grades, my father won’t pay my tuition. There’s no way I’m moving back into his “fortress.”

At the bar, I set my eyes on a gorgeous stranger. My plans don’t involve him long term; one night should be enough. But Dominic is more than I bargained for. God, I’m so drawn to this man. My skin hums at his touch because—

He expels the shadows of my past and replaces my pain with desire.

Perfect Dominic. Beautiful, graduating, soon-to-move-on-with-his-life Dominic.

I’m a wild child. A hot mess. Not grownup and focused like him. He’s addictive, and I am weak, but—screw this; I can wean myself off him! With the right antidote—

Addictions can be broken.

Pandora Full

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Author Sunniva Dee
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pandora Sunniva
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I write New Adult fiction with a paranormal twist and don’t shy away from romance and heart-wrenching passion when necessary.

I moved from Norway to the United States in 2001, and the first awesome five years I spent in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. Then I read “The Book,” aka Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which spurred my husband and me to move cross country to beautiful Savannah, Georgia.

I’m currently on my seventh year in the Deep South, where I enjoy the heat and the humidity. Besides writing, I spend my time with our “petting zoo” as in an opinionated parrot, a herd of cats that are experts on keyboard shortcuts, and puppies that…uh, bark.

I hold a Master’s degree in languages, with concentrations within literature and linguistics. I taught at college level for a decade before settling in as a graduate adviser at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Writing is my passion, my joy, and my addiction. When I’m not writing, I read.
Shattering Halos is my debut novel, and its standalone sequel, Stargazer, is due out later this year.

Author links:
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Barefoot Review and Giveaway ~ The Gull Motel by Amie Denman

Posted: July 30, 2014 in Blitz, Contemporary Romance, giveaways, Humor, reviews, Series
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The Gull Motel_Banner

When I read that this story took place on the Gulf Coast, I had to read it. That’s my stomping grounds and I had to see if I recognized anything. Then I learned that the main character, Savannah, lived in Michigan. That’s where I was born. It was like a sign, telling me I’d love this book. And I did.

So kick off your flip-flops, grab a cool beverage, and check into The Gull Motel. Enjoy the fun excerpt and my review, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

The Gull Motel

by Amie Denman

The Gull Motel cover

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My Review

Savvy needs a vacation. She’s earned it after finishing college, top or her class in hotel hospitality and management. She’s applied for a job at The Grand Chicago, a posh hotel, and decides to cool her heels in Florida while she waits for their decision.

From the moment Savvy arrived at her Uncle Mike’s and Aunt Carol’s place, The Gull Motel in Barefoot Key, I felt at home. I live on the Gulf Coast and there are many of these little beachside motels. Painted in bright colors, like the aqua blue of the Gull, they call to me and are my favorite places to stay.

Savvy’s Uncle Mike greets her with a big hug and her Aunt Carol breaks out the Margarita mixer. Now that’s true southern hospitality.

She barely has time to settle in before her aunt and uncle need to leave. Carol’s mother got arrested for stealing the neighbors grapes and they need to go get her out of trouble. Savvy agrees to run the motel while they are gone, anticipating they’ll be back from Michigan in a week or so. How hard can it be with an established clientele and long-serving staff? Plus there’s Rita, the receptionist, described as” thirty-something with the sun damage of a sixty-something sailor.”

Savvy’s given permission to improve the motel without changing anything. Hmm, there’s a challenge.

The other challenge is sexy Skip McMcComber, the proud new owner of the bar next door. Savvy and Skip have a long history as she spent many summers at the motel while growing up. Last year they mixed more than Maragarita’s and haven’t spoken since.

Things have changed in Barefoot Key. Big business is buying up property and somethings fishy.

A week turns into several and Savvy stays busy, drumming up business and sparring with Skip. She keeps saying her stay is only temporary. Who’s she trying to convince?

Everything about this book was fun. I loved the descriptions of the motel and town. I live in a small single tax colony on the bay and it all felt familiar. How the small business owners pulled together to help each other. How employees and employers were also friends and their lives intertwined.

I can’t say I had a Skip McComber but I bet someone around here did. Skip and Savvy had me snorting with laughter as they mixed it up. I had my fingers crossed for Skip. He worked on her, wearing her down, and an opportune hurricane helped his efforts.

I wanted to mention the characters. They were funny and flawed. You could come to my town and meet people very similar to the ones the author created. They felt genuine, familiar, like someone I knew.

The Gull Motel charmed me, tickled me, and made me view my town through new eyes. I had to finish reading it outside by the pool so I could lie back afterwards, close my eyes, feel the suns rays on my face, and listen to the gulls overhead. Made me smile.

5 Stars

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A scene with Savvy and Skip that made me laugh out loud:

“I know a lot about fixing things,” he said.

Of course he did. He had the benefit of owning a penis, a wonderful device imparting knowledge about cars, computers, pool pumps, and probably the space shuttle.

And this description of Rita, the receptionist:

An experienced multi-tasker, Rita could probably smoke a cigarette, do her nails, and handle three guest complaints at the same time.

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BLURB:

 

Savvy Thorpe needs a vacation. Finally finished with college, she heads to her favorite shabby motel on Florida’s Gulf Coast where her aunt and uncle always save her room twenty-four. She quickly finds out, though, that The Gull Motel is not just her home away from home. It’s hers to manage while her aunt and uncle take an extended trip.

Skip McComber, The Gull’s former maintenance man, has been working on Savvy’s nuts and bolts for years. Now the new owner of the bar next door, his mission is to renovate a pirate bar while being a walking temptation for the girl he can’t get off his mind.

For Savvy, keeping her cool running a motel in Florida heat is one thing, but navigating the steamy waters of a former fling takes a whole other kind of savvy. In addition to the motel and the man next door, Savvy stumbles on a plot to swindle land from the residents of Barefoot Key. Devalued properties tumble like dominoes until Savvy musters her colorful crew from The Gull Motel to make the pillagers walk the plank.

~~~

Enjoy this fun excerpt!

Day four of what I had planned as a Gulf Coast vacation had me perspiring in the pool shed and wondering what I should do.

“Need any help?”

I whipped around, blood rushing from surprise and something else. Of course I knew the voice. Skip McComber leaned against the frame of the open shed door. Shirtless. Wearing low slung jeans and a grin that registered somewhere between caution and amusement.

He looked like a man who knew how to run a pool pump. From experience, I knew he could handle a lot more than that.

“I’m fine,” I said, trying for cheerful dismissal in my tone. “Just taking a look around.”

“Taking stock of your new property.”

“Temporary property.”

“Since it’s your place now and all,” he said, disregarding my comment, “looks like we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

A mild earthquake rolled under my sternum and sent shockwaves from its epicenter. Maybe I’d have better luck with the space shuttle launch pad configuration than I would handling Skip.

“Temporary,” I repeated.

He nodded, continuing to appraise me with his look. Perhaps appraisal was too glamorous a word. He was looking at me like a cat who’d just opened the bird cage and was wondering how much fun he could have with the bird.

Skip had been rattling my cage since we were both sixteen. Every time I came to visit my aunt and uncle for a vacation, an added perk had been the endorphin boost from their local boy turned maintenance man. A skinny handsome kid, he had matured every time I came back to the Gull until he was the full-blown man standing in front of me.

“I know a lot about fixing things,” he said.

~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

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Amie Denman lives in a small town in her native Ohio with her husband and sons. Her two cats and large yellow labrador are kind enough to share a sunny office where she lets her imagination run wild. Reading books was her favorite escape as a child, and growing up four houses away from the community library encouraged her addiction. When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys walking and running outside. The helpless victim of a lifetime of curiosity, she’s been known to chase fire trucks on her bicycle just to see what’s going on. Amie believes that everything is fun: especially roller coasters, wedding cake, and falling in love.

 

Amie is the author of five contemporary romance novels:

The Gull Motel

Blue Bottle Beach

Her Lucky Catch

Her Lucky Prize

Will Work for Love

He’s on Her Trail

Please visit her at:

Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ Smashwords ~ All Romance ebooks ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Turquoise Morning Press

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Amie will be awarding print copies of her three Barefoot novels from Turquoise Morning Press: Blue Bottle Beach, Will Work for Love, and The Gull Motel to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour (US ONLY).

Click on the Rafflecopter below to enter.

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Click on the banner below to follow the tour. And make sure you comment. The more you comment, the more chances to win!

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The Friday 56 #28 ~ Rescue Me, Maybe by Jackie Bouchard

Posted: July 18, 2014 in Contemporary Romance, The Friday 56
Tags: , ,
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The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find any sentence, or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

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Using the crevice too, I retrieve the squirrel. It’s too tattered to donate to the Humane Society, so I decide to keep it.When I get up to go put it with his box of ashes, it squeaks.

I almost drop it. It hasn’t squeaked since it was new. Barnum and I played tug-the-squirrel almost every night and it never made a sound. I try to make it squeak again, but can’t.

Jeffrey’s words come to mind, talking about pennies, or other signs. What was it he said? It’s a message that “let’s you know your loved one’s okay.” Something like that.

I kiss the stinky, silent squirrel and feel my eyes start to burn. “I hope you really are okay, Barnum.” I set it on top of his box. “I hope I’m going to be okay, too.”

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The memories this brought back made me smile and cry!

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Rescue Me, Maybe

by Jackie Bouchard

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Synopsis

If you lost both your husband and your dog to cancer within weeks of each other, but you were sadder about the dog, would you tell anyone? Maybe your closest friends. Unfortunately, Jane Bailey’s closest friends are on the other side of the country. That’s where Jane plans to go now that she’s free to leave Philadelphia, the too cold, beachless, street taco-deficient city her husband dragged her to six years ago. But with no job prospects in her hometown of San Diego, Jane is roped into helping out temporarily at her uncle’s southwestern small-town B&B. En route to her new role as innkeeper and breakfast chef, she finds a stray at a rest stop. With her heart in pieces from the loss of her dog, she’s determined not to let this mutt worm its way into her affections. She’s also determined to have next-to-no interaction with the B&B’s irritating guests, and the even more annoying handyman who lives next door. Can Jane keep her sanity—and her secret that she’s not really a grieving widow—while trying to achieve her dream of getting back to the place she thinks is home?

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

A Super Romance Book Blast and Giveaway ~ A Perfect Trade by Anna Sugden

Posted: July 7, 2014 in Book Blast, Contemporary Romance, giveaways
Tags: , ,
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A Perfect Trade_Banner

Every now and then I need some romance. Good clean romance. And, hopefully, a happy ever after.

Check out Anna Sugden’s Super Romance, A Perfect Trade.

Below you’ll find a link to read the entire first chapter by following the tour stops.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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A PERFECT TRADE

by Anna Sugden

A Perfect Trade cover

 

BLURB:

A win-win negotiation?

Truman “Tru” Jelinek’s life is pretty much off the rails. With his professional hockey career on thin ice, and his personal life falling apart, he’s ready to implement some serious changes. Helping Jenny Martin—the only girl he’s ever loved—make her dreams a reality is a good place to start.

There’s just one problem: Jenny doesn’t want his help. She barely wants to speak to him. But Tru is prepared to negotiate a deal that even Jenny can’t refuse. As trading favors turns into sharing passion, he has to face the truth that when it comes to Jenny, the game is far from over.

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A Perfect Trade_CoverBanner

 

EXCERPT:

Excerpt 14 – To read the entire first chapter, please visit http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-blast-perfect-trade-by-anna-sugden.html and visit each blog in order.

 

“I hoped I was wrong.” Her voice hardened. “You’re still in love with someone else.”

“What?” He blinked, surprised. “Who?”

Even as he asked the question, an image of Jenny flashed into his brain. Her shiny, straight blond hair falling past her shoulders to rest against the scooped neckline of her black top. Faded black jeans that clung lovingly to every inch of her knockout legs and black, spiked-heel boots with buckles and studs that could make grown men whimper. Fire shot through his veins.

He tamped down the unwanted desire and scrambled to cover his ass. “I’m not in love with anyone.”

“Come on, Tru. Don’t try to tell me there isn’t unfinished business between you and Jenny.” Her lip curled.

His short laugh was humorless. “What there was between us has been finished for over a decade.” How could it not be, after what he’d done? “We’ve both moved on.”

“Have you?” Her question rang with disbelief.

Jenny sure as hell had. He’d been reminded of that every damn time she’d left the arena with her player of choice. It had taken a while, but he’d moved on, too, even if he’d never learned to ignore her fully.

“There’s nothing left between me and Jenny.” His tone was flat, uncompromising.

 

~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

a perfect trade AuthorPic

 

Harlequin SuperRomance author, Anna Sugden, loves reading and writing happy endings as much as hockey! When not reading or watching hockey, she loves football, good food & wine, making simple cross-stitch projects, and collecting memorabilia, penguins and fab shoes!

 

A former marketing executive and primary teacher, Anna lives in Cambridge, England, with her husband and two bossy black cats. Learn more about Anna, her heart-warming romances and her shoes at http://www.annasugden.com . You can also follow her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/annasugden.romanceauthor) , Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/annasugden) Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/annasugden) and on the Romance Bandits blog (http://www.romancebandits.com)

Buy Links:

A Perfect Trade:

Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble ~ iBooks ~ The Book Depository

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Anna will award a $15 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter, as well as 3 signed copies of A Perfect Trade, 3 exclusive A Perfect Trade notebooks and 4 exclusive A Perfect Trade key rings to other randomly drawn winners (international giveaway).

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

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Follow the tour for more fun posts and remember to comment. The more you comment the more chances to win!

Follow the tour by clicking on the banner below.

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To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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~~~

Then Came You by Jill Shalvis ~ Check Out The Release Week Blitz and Giveaway

Posted: June 30, 2014 in Blitz, Contemporary Romance, giveaways, Release day
Tags: , , ,
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JillShalvisBlitz

This is going to be a fun summer read for me.

Check out Then Came You by Jill Shalvis.

Enjoy the teaser and the glimpse inside the book.

And enter the giveaway for a chance at some great prizes!

Good Luck Ya’ll!

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ThenCameYou

Title: THEN CAME YOU
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: July 1, 2014
ISBN: 9780425270172
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Berkley
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Summary
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Veterinary intern Emily can’t believe she wound up in the small town of Sunshine, Idaho, instead of the Los Angeles clinic she had always imagined. Now she has to put her plans to move to L.A. on hold for a whole year while she fulfills the obligation of her vet school scholarship.
Then Wyatt, her gorgeous one-night stand from a Reno vet conference, introduces himself as her new boss. And Emily is just as drawn to his seductive looks and quiet strength as she was on that very steamy night. She soon learns that Wyatt isn’t just a laid-back doctor, but a delicious alpha male tempting her away from her carefully laid-out plans…
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JillShalvisTeaser
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Excerpt
Emily sat on a fallen log and leaned back. When she was little, she’d loved to try to star watch. In LA, this was tricky because of all the city lights, not to mention smog. Doing it here, in the land of the big sky, was a whole new ball game. “I’m not lonely,” she said to the horse, who snorted again and swished his tail.
“Good. Cuz you’re not alone.”
Two long legs came into her peripheral. Wyatt crouched at her side and looked into her face. “How are you?”
“Fine,” she said.
Nodding, he sat on the log at her side and leaned back, presumably to look at whatever she was looking at. “Pretty night.”
His hands were behind him, his shoulder and a part of his chest brushing her arm and shoulder. Actually it was more like he was encircling her within his arm span, which was considerable. It was a guy move, an alpha guy move, and it made her feel … protected.
She was getting far too used to that, she thought with a sigh. “Where is everyone?”
“Gone,” he said, and there was an odd quality to his voice that had her taking a second look at him. He didn’t take his gaze off the sky so she got him in profile, the tousled hair, the fine lines crinkling the corners of his eyes from long days out in the sun, the square, scruffy jaw. A broad shoulder built to take on the weight of the world.
He’d been working his ass off, here at Belle Haven, helping Dell take up the slack for the out-of-town Jade, and then going home and helping his sisters with the monstrous house they were fixing up. He did so much for everyone, and she found herself wanting to do something for him. Make him smile. Make him relax. Make him forget, even for a few minutes… She nudged him with her shoulder.
He nudged her back and turned to look at her then, his eyes dark and unfathomable behind his glasses.
Chickening out, she turned her head this time, and stared up at the sky as he had been only a few seconds before.
“Emily.”
When she didn’t tear her gaze off the stars, he leaned in and nipped her ear.
Sucking in a breath, she looked at him again. His was still dark, but there were things swirling in those dark depths now. Need. Heat.
Affection.
He stole her breath.
“Let the record state,” she said, reaching out to snatch off his glasses, “that I don’t always make the first move.”
He blinked in momentary confusion, and probably also because he could no longer see. He opened his mouth to say something, but she sank her fingers into his hair and kissed him, hard and long and deep.
“Emily,” he said when they broke for air, his voice rough and husky.
She climbed into his lap and then pushed him backwards off the log so that he fell to his back in the wild grass with her straddling him.
Laughing, he slid his hands beneath her top and up her back, drawing out a delicious shiver from her. Then his hands slid slowly down her spine, and into the backs of her jeans. “Let the record also state,” he said in a delicious growl. “Who made the rest of the moves.”
Buy Links

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Author Biography
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JillShalvis author pic
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.
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Social Networking Links
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$50 gift card to a book e-tailer (i.e. Amazon) & digital copies of the Animal Magnetism series by Jill Shalvis

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

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*****

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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When the picture tells the story.. ~ Fan Art by Sarah Tregay ~ Book Blitz and Giveaway

Posted: June 16, 2014 in Blitz, Contemporary Romance, giveaways, YA
Tags: , , , , ,
2
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Welcome ya’ll. I have a fun book to show and tell ya today!
The cover art alone makes you want this one!
Enjoy the Blitz for Fan Art and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
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Fan Art
by Sarah Tregay
Release Date: 06/17/14
Harper Teen
Summary from Goodreads:
When the picture tells
the story…Senior year is almost over, and Jamie Peterson has a big problem. Not
college—that’s all set. Not prom—he’ll find a date somehow. No, it’s the worst
problem of all: he’s fallen for his best friend.

As much as Jamie tries to keep it under wraps, everyone seems to know where his
affections lie, and the giggling girls in art class are determined to help
Jamie get together with Mason. But Jamie isn’t sure if that’s what he
wants—because as much as Jamie would like to come clean to Mason, what if the
truth ruins everything? What if there are no more road trips, taco dinners, or
movie nights? Does he dare risk a childhood friendship for romance?

This book is about what happens when a picture reveals what we can’t say, when
art is truer than life, and how falling in love is easy, except when it’s not.
Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and
how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most.

 

Available from:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Book Depository

 

An Excerpt from Fan Art, by Sarah Tregay:

Chapter Six

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In art, Ms. Maude has the lights off and the projector on, and we’re flying through art history at breakneck speed. We started the semester with the cave paintings in Lascaux and, with three weeks of classes to go, we are up to Marcel Duchamp and his urinal. Ms. Maude is certain we’ll get up to present-day art by the end of the term, but the class has a bet going—most of the girls say she will and the guys say she won’t.

I write $1 in my notebook and slide it across the table to Eden.

In my pocket, she writes back.

I’m about to write No way when Ms. Maude leaps ahead half a decade and sums up Dadaism in one sentence. No fair. She segues to the Bauhaus, and I know I should be listening. Those Bauhaus dudes are the founding fathers of graphic design.

But I’m not listening. You going to prom? I write. Again I slide my notebook to Eden.

She looks at me, an are-you-crazy? expression on her face.

I gesture at the note.

She writes something. Slides the notebook back. No.

Why not? I scribble.

She doesn’t wait for me to pass the notebook; she just reaches over and writes. No date.

Be mine.

She looks at me again then writes: I thought you were gay.

I freeze. How the hell does she know?

Eden takes the paper back before I write anything. And you want to go to prom with me?

Not possible, she scribbles.

Why not?

Ms. Maude glances our way, and Eden pretends she’s taking notes on the lecture. When she slides my notebook back, it reads: You’re out of my league. Not to mention the wrong gender.

The wrong gender? I try not to look surprised and I ignore that part. What league?

The popular one.

I’m not popular. I’m in band.

Eden sighs as if I’m clueless, and she pushes my notebook back at me without an answer.

Please, I write. I didn’t know dating involved so much persuasion.

Why?

Because you’re cool. I offer her the notebook.

She reads my note and shakes her head.

I try again. Because I want to get to know you better.

She fake gags on her finger.

Because I’ll have a good time if you’re there.

Eden smiles.

And I have a prom date.

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About the Author

Raised without television, Sarah Tregay started writing her own middle grade novels after she had read all of the ones in the library. She later discovered YA books, but never did make it to the adult section. When she’s not jotting down poems at stoplights, she can be found hanging out with her “little sister” from Big Brothers Big Sisters. Sarah lives in Eagle, Idaho with her husband, two Boston Terriers, and an appaloosa named Mr. Pots. Her next book, Fan Art, will be released in June.

Author Links:

   

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***GIVEAWAY***
2 signed ARC’s of Fan Art (US/CAN only)
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Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.
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Book Blitz Organized by:

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