Monday, February 17, 2014

Taking Something Tour: Review + Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the tour for Taking Something by Elizabeth Lee! 
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Review
I just have to give major props to Elizabeth Lee for taking a character I so thoroughly loathed in Give Me Something and turning him into someone I cared about and rooted for. It's pretty impressive. Nick is still up to his conning ways and he doesn't exactly shine as a changed man in the beginning. I was nervous about the whole pop star angle, but she even managed to twist that plot line around. Everyone seems to be manipulating each other for one reason or another and maybe seeing someone else do worse than Nick made him more likable.

But of course, as he actually finds someone who sees through him and makes him vulnerable, I actually started to like him. I was totally caught up in this book trying to figure out how he was going to get himself out of his own messes and make it all okay. He makes a lot of decisions and does some things that are questionable, but I realized how much he'd wormed his way into my good graces when I started making excuses for his behavior. I wanted him to come out on the good side of things and I'm officially a fan of Nick's.

Gia was harder for me to understand. I love that she had her own storyline that we only get to see little by little, but I wanted to connect with her more. It was a bold move for Elizabeth to tell the whole story through Nick's perspective and it paid off in a lot of ways. But the girl in me wanted to know more about the girl in the story. Sadie was a treat though (I meant that sarcastically). I don't even know where to start with that hot mess of a girl.

With this departure from Elizabeth Lee's usual country setting and good country boys, I think she's branched out into a good place. She's been an automatic read for me since I read Shattered and I just continue to enjoy everything she writes. So if you haven't given her books a shot, just know that she's one of my most highly recommended new adult authors.
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About the Book

I know what you're thinking. “You were such a jerk, Nick!”  Believe me, I know I screwed up the best thing I had going in my life, but that was kind of my thing. I’d learned how to run cons before I could even form complete sentences, and I'd always been selfish.  But I changed.  Lila forgave me, my brother and I were getting along, and I was trying to make a name for myself in the music world.

At least that was what I was trying to do when I negotiated my way into the recording studio with pop superstar Sadie Sinclair. I thought it would be a piece of cake—charm my way into her heart and into her record label's good graces.

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I got mixed up in a web of lies, manipulation, and deception. A web that had me questioning my motives and desires altogether.

Was the fame and fortune really worth the price? 
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About the Author
When I'm not writing or playing the part of wife and mother, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in hand.  Here's the thing about being born and raised in a small town—you have a very vivid imagination!  Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that!

Find Elizabeth Online: Facebook :: Twitter :: Website :: Goodreads
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Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tour Schedule

February 17
Movies, Shows & Books – Author Interview
In The Best Worlds – Review Only
The Phantom Paragrapher – Review Only
The Indie Express – Review Only

February 18
Read This~Hear That – Playlist
Blimey! I Fancy Reading – Review Only
Roxy’s Reviews – Review Only
Stormy Day Reading Books – Review Only
Paperbook Princess – Review Only

February 19
Comfort Books – Guest post
2 Bookaholics – Excerpt
Halos and Horns Book Blog – Review Only
Cocktails & Books – Review Only
In My Room Reading  – Review Only
Into the Hall of Books – Review Only

February 20
Reader Girls – Excerpt
Scandalous Book Blog – Character Interview
Rumpled Sheets Blog – Review Only
Ramblings From This Chick – Review Only

February 21
Living in a Bookworld – Excerpt
Lovin’ Los Libros – Review Only
Deal Sharing Aunt – Review Only

February 22
Kassie’s Book Thoughts – Author Interview
Sofia Loves Books – Review Only
Biblio Belles – Review Only
Mean Girls Luv Books – Review Only
Not Everyone’s Mama – Review Only

February 23
Read-Love-Blog – Guest Post
My Favorite Things – Review Only
Book Freaks – Review Only
Books Unhinged Book Blog – Review Only
The Boyfriend Bookmarks – Review Only

February 24
Stuck in YA Books – Guest Post
Above Average Below Special – Review Only
Group Therapy Book Club – Review Only

February 25
StarAngel’s Reviews – Review Only
Lustful Literature – Review Only
True Story Book Blog – Character Interview
Romance Addict Book Blog – Dream cast

February 26
Fabulously Girly Book Blog – Review Only
Once Upon a Twilight – Review Only
Girl With Books – Review Only
Seeking Book Boyfriends – Review Only
Book Addict Mumma – Review Only
Fiddle Fadle – Guest Post




Persefone Series Blog Tour: Guest Post + Review

Persefone Series Blog Tour
Welcome to my stop on the tour for the PERSEFoNE Series by Michelle Gagnon! I have a guest post from Michelle as well as my own review of Don't Look Now, and then there's an amazing giveaway at the bottom of this post. You can also check out the other stops on this tour here
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Guest Post: Michelle's Dream Cast

NOA: 
There’s an AMAZING Australian film called, “Tomorrow, When the War Began,” (if you haven’t seen it yet, put it on your to-be-watched list immediately!) The lead actress in it was incredible; the whole time I was watching the movie, all I could think was that if you chopped her hair short and dyed it black, she’d be a perfect Noa. Her name is Caitlin Stasey, and I’d be shocked if we didn’t end up seeing a lot more of her in the future.


PETER:

I really love Dylan Minnette, the actor who played the son in the (sadly) short-lived series AWAKE. He didn’t have much of a chance to display humor in that role, but he’s such a talented actor that I believe he’d be a perfect Peter.

AMANDA: 
AnnaSophia Robb. She’s got the right look, and I think she might manage to make Amanda more sympathetic. I get A LOT of emails from Amanda-haters; she’s a tricky character, in that she’s moralizing and judgmental; but a lot of that is a cover for her insecurity and vulnerability. So a really likeable actress like AnnaSophia could help humanize her.


ZEKE:
Zeke really needs to be a heartthrob: dark, moody, brooding. Tyler Posey definitely fits that bill, and I love him in Teen Wolf.

I add a bunch of new folks to the cast in DON’T LOOK NOW, most notably Teo and Daisy. They’re a bit younger than the others, and rougher around the edges.

TEO: 
For Teo, I’d love to see Jake Austin (my kid is a huge Wizards of Waverly Place fan!)

DAISY: 
The actress who plays Daisy really needs to capture that punk-rock look, while still appearing fragile and doll-like (which isn’t easy!) I think Joey King would totally nail it, especially with blue hair. 
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Review of Don't Look Now

When I picked up Don't Turn Around, I was surprised by how much I found myself wrapped up in the characters and their unique abilities. This series isn't the kind I usually pick up, but with emotions and stakes I can really get involved in, this is just a great series that keeps getting better.

I didn't get a chance to re-read Don't Turn Around before I picked up the second book, but the story does a great job at effortlessly blending in a recap while still moving on with the story. There were a few characters that were slow to jog my memory, but not enough to pull my mind out of the book. This book was quite different from the first book, but the stakes were higher. There was a lot more action this time around and less hacking. And I actually missed the hacking excitement a bit in this book. It was a big reason I was drawn to the series in the first place.

Still, these characters are just incredible. Noa is just so smart and it's easy to see why people follow her. It's great, though, that she's vulnerable and strong at the same time. I didn't really like Amanda in the first book, but I came to feel for her in this one. Peter confused me a bit, but I have to admire him for the way he always rises to the challenges ahead of him.

I think what I love so much is how much this story seems to fluctuate. It's tough and soft, one minute it's a million miles an hour and everyone is relying on timing, the next minute it's quietness with a computer while they're all relying on knowledge. This is just a smart series and I'm anxious to see what happens next. 
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About the Series
DON'T TURN AROUND (PERSEFoNE #1)

Sixteen-year-old Noa has been a victim of the system ever since her parents died. Now living off the grid and trusting no one, she uses her hacking skills to stay anonymous and alone. But when she wakes up on a table in a warehouse with an IV in her arm and no memory of how she got there, Noa starts to wish she had someone on her side.


Enter Peter Gregory. A rich kid and the leader of a hacker alliance, Peter needs people with Noa’s talents on his team. Especially after a shady corporation threatens his life in no uncertain terms. But what Noa and Peter don’t realize is that Noa holds the key to a terrible secret, and there are those who’d stop at nothing to silence her for good.

Don’t Turn Around: Goodreads :: Amazon :: Barnes & Noble :: IndieBound :: iTunes
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DON’T LOOK NOW (PERSEFoNE #2)

Noa Torsen is on the run. Having outsmarted the sinister corporation Pike & Dolan, Noa and her friend Zeke now move stealthily across the country, protecting runaways before they become test subjects for P&D's horrific experiments. Noa knows all too well what that feels like: Whatever they did to her has left her exhausted and scared.

Back in Boston, Peter anxiously follows Noa's movements from his computer, using his hacker skills to feed her the information she needs to stay alive. But he's desperate to do something more, especially when he learns what P&D has done to his ex-girlfriend Amanda.

Then, in an explosive confrontation, Noa and her team are trapped in the one place they thought was safe. It will take everything Noa and Peter have to bring down the corporation before it gets them first. And with no one to trust and enemies hiding at every turn, they may be the only people alive who can.

This stunning second book in the critically acclaimed Don't Turn Around trilogy raises the stakes to their absolute limit and will leave readers begging for the exciting conclusion, Don't Let Go.

Don't Look Now: Goodreads :: Amazon :: Barnes & Noble :: IndieBound :: iTunes

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About the Author
Michelle Gagnon is the international bestselling author of thrillers for teens and adults. Described as “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for teens,” her YA technothriller DON’T TURN AROUND was recently nominated for a Thriller Award by the International Thriller Writer’s Association, and was selected as one of the best teen books of the year by Entertainment Weekly Magazine, Kirkus, Voya, and the Young Adult Library Services Association. Book 2 in the PERSEFONE trilogy, DON’T LOOK NOW, is on sale now. She splits her time between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Author Links: Website :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Tumblr :: Pinterest :: Goodreads
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Giveaway

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Love-A-Thon Mini Challenge #3: Mad Lib

 It's Love-a-Thon time! If you want to know more about this event, put together by the lovely Alexa and Katelyn, check it out here. It's the second mini challenge which is a bookish Mad Lib! The underlined, bolded words are the ones I came up with - which I attempted to do without knowing where they'd fit in. 
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One day, I was CARTWHEELING with CHAOL. Out of the blue, a GRAPEFRUIT came out of nowhere! It was so CLUMSYVOLUPTUOUS and JUICY. At first, we were afraid, we were petrified, but we SCATTERED. We hopped on SCOOTERS to make our getaway. 

As we escaped, we turned up the radio because MMMBOP came on and made me KICK. Everything was extremely smooth sailing until a LION appeared in the middle of the road. We swerved to avoid it, but while CHAOL stayed on THE SCOOTER, I got thrown onto my side in the woods. I couldn't get up, and felt COLORFUL as I lay there staring up at the trees. What was I going to do? I heard a WHOOSH among the leaves, and felt RAGE. Surely, this was going to be my end. As my eyes fluttered shut, the last thing I saw was a head of PERIWINKLE hair and CERULEAN eyes.  

When I woke up again, I was on a LOUNGE CHAIR. My body hurt a whole lot less, and I could sit up. There was a FROG and A CLOCK in the room, along with BROWNIES and GRAPEFRUIT JUICE. The door suddenly opened to reveal JOHN AFTER, a concerned look on his face. I blushed and averted my gaze, but he WIGGLED and said, "Don't be shy. It's okay."  

He came over to sit by me, and we started talking after I told him my name. We chatted about CURLING, STAMP COLLECTING and FAN FICTION and realized we had a ton in common! I thought he was CRAZY and couldn't help feeling a little swoony.  

Just as he reached out for my hand, the door crashed open and in came ETIENNE ST. CLAIR. "Don't let him charm you away, my love!" He yelled, running at JOHN AFTER. They each had SPATULAS in their hands and began to fight. "Stop!", I yelled, feeling so GIDDY. They didn't listen to me. Before I could intervene, JOHN AFTER fell to the floor and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.  

"What was that?" I asked, staring at the empty space. ETIENNE ST. CLAIR dropped his weapon, and came over to me. "Magic, but you are safe now, MUFFIN." He hugged me close, and I suddenly knew that this was the real deal and not just a dream.  

Just as CHASING CARS started playing in my head, I woke up. I cursed my COOL luck. Why had it only been just a dream?

Love-A-Thon Mini Challenge #1: Book Spine Poetry

 It's Love-a-Thon time! If you want to know more about this event, put together by the lovely Alexa and Katelyn, check it out here. It's the first mini challenge which is book spine poetry! So here's my bookish poem: 

If I Lie
Before I Fall
This Song Will Save Your Life
Unremembered
Ask the Passengers
All The Truth That's In Me

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon: Interview with The Runaway Reader

Hey friends! It's Love-a-Thon time! If you want to know more about this event, put together by the lovely Alexa and Katelyn, check it out here. That said, I'm so excited to introduce you to Annie from The Runaway Reader! I've had the pleasure of interviewing this amazing blogger, so learn a little more about her and make sure you check out her fantastic blog!
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Tell us three random things about yourself.

 I am 14 years old, I'm an only child and I love chocolate.

What has been one of your favorite moments of being a blogger?

It's hard to pinpoint individual moments because blogging has just generally been so much fun. I'd say one of my favourite moments though was participating in the very same Book Blogger Love-a-Thon last year. Back then, I didn't have much experience blogging yet so being a part of that event was a really great way for me to open up to the blogging community. It was so much fun, plus I met some really awesome bloggers!

What is one book that you wish you had written?

Harry Potter, for sure! (I know that's technically seven books) It has one of the most intricate storylines I've ever seen in a book and I just think it would be so cool to know that you're the mastermind behind this gigantic phenomenon. It's why I admire JK Rowling so much - you got to have a pretty wicked imagination to create something so great like Harry Potter!

What authors do you have on your auto-buy list?

Wendy Mass because all her books are so, so sweet. Patrick Ness because he's such a masterful storyteller. And Sophie Kinsella because she cheers me up and makes me laugh like no one else! 

Which genre would you love to see more of?

I would love to see more historical fiction. It's one of my favourite genres but I feel like in Young Adult especially, there just isn't such a great selection. So write more historical fiction, authors!

What are your five desert island books?

Tough, tough question! I actually remember doing a Top Ten Tuesday post for this topic a while ago so it's interesting to see it again! My first pick would probably be Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery just because I love that book so much. And Harry Potter too (I know I'm cheating with a series) because I also love them so much and they'd definitely provide me with tons of reading material. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins for something light and fun, as well as a chunkster like War and Peace to keep me thinking. I'd probably also bring something inspirational like The Happiness Project to keep my spirits up. 

Finish these sentences:  

My dream job is... not surprisingly, a blogger! How cool would it be to get paid to do your hobby? Plus, being a blogger means that I don't have to be stuck in a dingy office and can literally do my work from anywhere that has internet access. 
My favorite TV show to marathon is... New Girl. In my opinion, it's been going downhill since the last season but it's so hilaribad that I just can't help but enjoy it.
We could be best friends if... you don't mind me wanting to talk all the time.
Find Annie Online: Blog :: Twitter :: Goodreads :: Tumblr

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Blog Tour: Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen

I'm just thrilled to be a part of the tour for Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen hosted by Book Nerd Tours! Check out my review and then there's an amazing giveaway at the bottom of this post. You can also check out the other stops on this tour here
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Review
Scarlet totally captured my heart two years ago and I've anxiously waiting for more. Thankfully, Lady Thief more than satisfied my need for more Robin Hood in my life. One of the things that made Scarlet so incredible was the twist on a beloved classic - a twist that wrote women back into history and put them in the hero's shoes. 

In Lady Thief, I was reminded just how strong of a character Scarlet is and how incredible she is. It's just now so difficult to fathom a version of Robin Hood where Will Scarlet is a man now. It's always been a great tale, but it's just vastly greater with the addition of a strong heroine. When she's made to dress up and play the part of a Lady, she just does it so well. And by that, I mean, she fights it the whole way. I admire the way she never, ever gives in to any kind of pressure to be someone she isn't.

And let's just talk about Robin for a minute. He's never been the centerpiece of this version, but there's a whole lot of him in this book. And I freaking love it. The romance and the tension in this book is intense and perfect. Not to mention, Rob has always been a hero, but somehow he reveals his weaknesses and it makes him even stronger.

I'm just in love with this version of Robin Hood. I will say I wish I had the time to re-read Scarlet before jumping in to Lady Thief, but it all came back to me before too long. The dialect also threw me more than it did in the first book, but that also got easier as I got into the swing of it. I didn't know going in that there would be another book after this one, so the ending threw me for a loop. But I'm so excited that there will be more of these characters. 
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About Lady Thief
Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.

Book Links: Indiebound :: B&N :: Amazon :: Goodreads
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About the Author
I am shamelessly addicted to staying up far too late (it feels like stealing time), diet coke (it burns so good), Scotland (stupid country stole my heart and won't give it back. Interpol has been ineffective for prosecution) and thieves (so I guess I'm not that mad at Scotland). 

Find A.C. Gaughen Online: Website :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Tumblr
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Giveaway

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Cover Reveal: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

We're extremely excited to bring you the cover for ALL LINED UP, the first book in Cora Carmack's highly anticipated Rusk University Series! ALL LINED UP is a New Adult Contemporary Romance novel published by William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins). It is due to be released on May 13, 2014!!
   
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About All Lined Up
In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.
 
Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.
But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.
Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.
Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.
And neither of them knows how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

“Laughter + heartache + hot sexual tension = the perfect Cora Carmack book.”
—Monica Murphy

Book Links: Amazon :: Barnes & Noble :: iTunes :: Goodreads
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About Cora Carmack
Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Find Cora Online: Website :: Twitter :: Facebook :: Author Goodreads 


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

In the Lyrics Blog Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway

Welcome to the blog tour for In the Lyrics by Nacole Stayton! I have an excerpt and a giveaway for you today. 
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Excerpt

“Do you know the first thing that I noticed about you?”
She shakes her head no.
“It was your confidence. I had just gotten to town and was going to grab a bite to eat and then call Dusty, but I saw this girl sitting on the street corner.”
        “I felt like you were staring holes in my head,” she says softly.
        “Truthfully, I was. Anyway, once you started to sing…it was like…ya know when your favorite song comes on the radio and you’re jammin’, listening to every word, your heads bobbin’, and you’re just feeling the music, but then your phone rings and you know it’s a call you can’t miss? There’s a split second where you debate on pressing forward to voicemail so you can finish the song, but you’ve been waiting for this call, so you turn down the radio knowing you’ll miss your favorite part just to answer it. It was like you were my favorite song, and I was forwarding my calls to voicemail. In that moment, I didn’t care who was standing around me. All I was worried about was tuning in to you, listening to your voice.”
        “I love you.” Those three simple words are spoken, and much to my amazement it’s Hensley that says them first.
        Clutching her face hard in my hands, I kiss her. I kiss her for being so darn dumb and insecure, for acting like a jealous girl, and more importantly, for loving me through it all.

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About the Book 

Title: In the Lyrics
Author: Nacole Stayton
Publication Date: February 7, 2014


 Hensley Bradley is the definition of the girl-next-door. She’s kindhearted, beautiful, and talented. Bored with her mundane life, thoughts of fleeing her small town begin to consume her. With aspiring dreams to use her voice as a one-way ticket, she suddenly discovers that music might not be her only passion.

After a fallout back home, Colby Grant decides to leave his family’s farm, determined to show his father he’s more than just a wanna-be country singer. With his All-American good looks, it doesn’t take long for girls in his new town to focus their eyes on him. But things aren’t what they appear from the outside, and it isn’t long until Colby feels he doesn't fit into the perfect world that so quickly embraced him.

A chance encounter places Hensley in Colby’s path, but it isn’t her natural beauty that first captures his attention – it’s her voice.

When love and music mix, will the combination blossom into a beautiful melody or wither into a heart-wrenching tune?

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About the Author

Nacole Stayton is twenty-something years young and currently resides in the Bluegrass State. She spends her days working at a local hospital in the billing department and nights writing vigorously on her current novel. She has a passion for helping others and wears her University of Kentucky gear proudly. While her husband loves all things outdoors, Nacole enjoys the finer things in life, like getting pedicures while reading on her Kindle Fire. She is passionate about her faith, family, and The Bachelor.

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Giveaway

Monday, February 17, 2014

Taking Something Tour: Review + Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the tour for Taking Something by Elizabeth Lee! 
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Review
I just have to give major props to Elizabeth Lee for taking a character I so thoroughly loathed in Give Me Something and turning him into someone I cared about and rooted for. It's pretty impressive. Nick is still up to his conning ways and he doesn't exactly shine as a changed man in the beginning. I was nervous about the whole pop star angle, but she even managed to twist that plot line around. Everyone seems to be manipulating each other for one reason or another and maybe seeing someone else do worse than Nick made him more likable.

But of course, as he actually finds someone who sees through him and makes him vulnerable, I actually started to like him. I was totally caught up in this book trying to figure out how he was going to get himself out of his own messes and make it all okay. He makes a lot of decisions and does some things that are questionable, but I realized how much he'd wormed his way into my good graces when I started making excuses for his behavior. I wanted him to come out on the good side of things and I'm officially a fan of Nick's.

Gia was harder for me to understand. I love that she had her own storyline that we only get to see little by little, but I wanted to connect with her more. It was a bold move for Elizabeth to tell the whole story through Nick's perspective and it paid off in a lot of ways. But the girl in me wanted to know more about the girl in the story. Sadie was a treat though (I meant that sarcastically). I don't even know where to start with that hot mess of a girl.

With this departure from Elizabeth Lee's usual country setting and good country boys, I think she's branched out into a good place. She's been an automatic read for me since I read Shattered and I just continue to enjoy everything she writes. So if you haven't given her books a shot, just know that she's one of my most highly recommended new adult authors.
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About the Book

I know what you're thinking. “You were such a jerk, Nick!”  Believe me, I know I screwed up the best thing I had going in my life, but that was kind of my thing. I’d learned how to run cons before I could even form complete sentences, and I'd always been selfish.  But I changed.  Lila forgave me, my brother and I were getting along, and I was trying to make a name for myself in the music world.

At least that was what I was trying to do when I negotiated my way into the recording studio with pop superstar Sadie Sinclair. I thought it would be a piece of cake—charm my way into her heart and into her record label's good graces.

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I got mixed up in a web of lies, manipulation, and deception. A web that had me questioning my motives and desires altogether.

Was the fame and fortune really worth the price? 
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About the Author
When I'm not writing or playing the part of wife and mother, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in hand.  Here's the thing about being born and raised in a small town—you have a very vivid imagination!  Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that!

Find Elizabeth Online: Facebook :: Twitter :: Website :: Goodreads
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Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tour Schedule

February 17
Movies, Shows & Books – Author Interview
In The Best Worlds – Review Only
The Phantom Paragrapher – Review Only
The Indie Express – Review Only

February 18
Read This~Hear That – Playlist
Blimey! I Fancy Reading – Review Only
Roxy’s Reviews – Review Only
Stormy Day Reading Books – Review Only
Paperbook Princess – Review Only

February 19
Comfort Books – Guest post
2 Bookaholics – Excerpt
Halos and Horns Book Blog – Review Only
Cocktails & Books – Review Only
In My Room Reading  – Review Only
Into the Hall of Books – Review Only

February 20
Reader Girls – Excerpt
Scandalous Book Blog – Character Interview
Rumpled Sheets Blog – Review Only
Ramblings From This Chick – Review Only

February 21
Living in a Bookworld – Excerpt
Lovin’ Los Libros – Review Only
Deal Sharing Aunt – Review Only

February 22
Kassie’s Book Thoughts – Author Interview
Sofia Loves Books – Review Only
Biblio Belles – Review Only
Mean Girls Luv Books – Review Only
Not Everyone’s Mama – Review Only

February 23
Read-Love-Blog – Guest Post
My Favorite Things – Review Only
Book Freaks – Review Only
Books Unhinged Book Blog – Review Only
The Boyfriend Bookmarks – Review Only

February 24
Stuck in YA Books – Guest Post
Above Average Below Special – Review Only
Group Therapy Book Club – Review Only

February 25
StarAngel’s Reviews – Review Only
Lustful Literature – Review Only
True Story Book Blog – Character Interview
Romance Addict Book Blog – Dream cast

February 26
Fabulously Girly Book Blog – Review Only
Once Upon a Twilight – Review Only
Girl With Books – Review Only
Seeking Book Boyfriends – Review Only
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Persefone Series Blog Tour: Guest Post + Review

Persefone Series Blog Tour
Welcome to my stop on the tour for the PERSEFoNE Series by Michelle Gagnon! I have a guest post from Michelle as well as my own review of Don't Look Now, and then there's an amazing giveaway at the bottom of this post. You can also check out the other stops on this tour here
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Guest Post: Michelle's Dream Cast

NOA: 
There’s an AMAZING Australian film called, “Tomorrow, When the War Began,” (if you haven’t seen it yet, put it on your to-be-watched list immediately!) The lead actress in it was incredible; the whole time I was watching the movie, all I could think was that if you chopped her hair short and dyed it black, she’d be a perfect Noa. Her name is Caitlin Stasey, and I’d be shocked if we didn’t end up seeing a lot more of her in the future.


PETER:

I really love Dylan Minnette, the actor who played the son in the (sadly) short-lived series AWAKE. He didn’t have much of a chance to display humor in that role, but he’s such a talented actor that I believe he’d be a perfect Peter.

AMANDA: 
AnnaSophia Robb. She’s got the right look, and I think she might manage to make Amanda more sympathetic. I get A LOT of emails from Amanda-haters; she’s a tricky character, in that she’s moralizing and judgmental; but a lot of that is a cover for her insecurity and vulnerability. So a really likeable actress like AnnaSophia could help humanize her.


ZEKE:
Zeke really needs to be a heartthrob: dark, moody, brooding. Tyler Posey definitely fits that bill, and I love him in Teen Wolf.

I add a bunch of new folks to the cast in DON’T LOOK NOW, most notably Teo and Daisy. They’re a bit younger than the others, and rougher around the edges.

TEO: 
For Teo, I’d love to see Jake Austin (my kid is a huge Wizards of Waverly Place fan!)

DAISY: 
The actress who plays Daisy really needs to capture that punk-rock look, while still appearing fragile and doll-like (which isn’t easy!) I think Joey King would totally nail it, especially with blue hair. 
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Review of Don't Look Now

When I picked up Don't Turn Around, I was surprised by how much I found myself wrapped up in the characters and their unique abilities. This series isn't the kind I usually pick up, but with emotions and stakes I can really get involved in, this is just a great series that keeps getting better.

I didn't get a chance to re-read Don't Turn Around before I picked up the second book, but the story does a great job at effortlessly blending in a recap while still moving on with the story. There were a few characters that were slow to jog my memory, but not enough to pull my mind out of the book. This book was quite different from the first book, but the stakes were higher. There was a lot more action this time around and less hacking. And I actually missed the hacking excitement a bit in this book. It was a big reason I was drawn to the series in the first place.

Still, these characters are just incredible. Noa is just so smart and it's easy to see why people follow her. It's great, though, that she's vulnerable and strong at the same time. I didn't really like Amanda in the first book, but I came to feel for her in this one. Peter confused me a bit, but I have to admire him for the way he always rises to the challenges ahead of him.

I think what I love so much is how much this story seems to fluctuate. It's tough and soft, one minute it's a million miles an hour and everyone is relying on timing, the next minute it's quietness with a computer while they're all relying on knowledge. This is just a smart series and I'm anxious to see what happens next. 
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About the Series
DON'T TURN AROUND (PERSEFoNE #1)

Sixteen-year-old Noa has been a victim of the system ever since her parents died. Now living off the grid and trusting no one, she uses her hacking skills to stay anonymous and alone. But when she wakes up on a table in a warehouse with an IV in her arm and no memory of how she got there, Noa starts to wish she had someone on her side.


Enter Peter Gregory. A rich kid and the leader of a hacker alliance, Peter needs people with Noa’s talents on his team. Especially after a shady corporation threatens his life in no uncertain terms. But what Noa and Peter don’t realize is that Noa holds the key to a terrible secret, and there are those who’d stop at nothing to silence her for good.

Don’t Turn Around: Goodreads :: Amazon :: Barnes & Noble :: IndieBound :: iTunes
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DON’T LOOK NOW (PERSEFoNE #2)

Noa Torsen is on the run. Having outsmarted the sinister corporation Pike & Dolan, Noa and her friend Zeke now move stealthily across the country, protecting runaways before they become test subjects for P&D's horrific experiments. Noa knows all too well what that feels like: Whatever they did to her has left her exhausted and scared.

Back in Boston, Peter anxiously follows Noa's movements from his computer, using his hacker skills to feed her the information she needs to stay alive. But he's desperate to do something more, especially when he learns what P&D has done to his ex-girlfriend Amanda.

Then, in an explosive confrontation, Noa and her team are trapped in the one place they thought was safe. It will take everything Noa and Peter have to bring down the corporation before it gets them first. And with no one to trust and enemies hiding at every turn, they may be the only people alive who can.

This stunning second book in the critically acclaimed Don't Turn Around trilogy raises the stakes to their absolute limit and will leave readers begging for the exciting conclusion, Don't Let Go.

Don't Look Now: Goodreads :: Amazon :: Barnes & Noble :: IndieBound :: iTunes

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About the Author
Michelle Gagnon is the international bestselling author of thrillers for teens and adults. Described as “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for teens,” her YA technothriller DON’T TURN AROUND was recently nominated for a Thriller Award by the International Thriller Writer’s Association, and was selected as one of the best teen books of the year by Entertainment Weekly Magazine, Kirkus, Voya, and the Young Adult Library Services Association. Book 2 in the PERSEFONE trilogy, DON’T LOOK NOW, is on sale now. She splits her time between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Author Links: Website :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Tumblr :: Pinterest :: Goodreads
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Giveaway

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Love-A-Thon Mini Challenge #3: Mad Lib

 It's Love-a-Thon time! If you want to know more about this event, put together by the lovely Alexa and Katelyn, check it out here. It's the second mini challenge which is a bookish Mad Lib! The underlined, bolded words are the ones I came up with - which I attempted to do without knowing where they'd fit in. 
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One day, I was CARTWHEELING with CHAOL. Out of the blue, a GRAPEFRUIT came out of nowhere! It was so CLUMSYVOLUPTUOUS and JUICY. At first, we were afraid, we were petrified, but we SCATTERED. We hopped on SCOOTERS to make our getaway. 

As we escaped, we turned up the radio because MMMBOP came on and made me KICK. Everything was extremely smooth sailing until a LION appeared in the middle of the road. We swerved to avoid it, but while CHAOL stayed on THE SCOOTER, I got thrown onto my side in the woods. I couldn't get up, and felt COLORFUL as I lay there staring up at the trees. What was I going to do? I heard a WHOOSH among the leaves, and felt RAGE. Surely, this was going to be my end. As my eyes fluttered shut, the last thing I saw was a head of PERIWINKLE hair and CERULEAN eyes.  

When I woke up again, I was on a LOUNGE CHAIR. My body hurt a whole lot less, and I could sit up. There was a FROG and A CLOCK in the room, along with BROWNIES and GRAPEFRUIT JUICE. The door suddenly opened to reveal JOHN AFTER, a concerned look on his face. I blushed and averted my gaze, but he WIGGLED and said, "Don't be shy. It's okay."  

He came over to sit by me, and we started talking after I told him my name. We chatted about CURLING, STAMP COLLECTING and FAN FICTION and realized we had a ton in common! I thought he was CRAZY and couldn't help feeling a little swoony.  

Just as he reached out for my hand, the door crashed open and in came ETIENNE ST. CLAIR. "Don't let him charm you away, my love!" He yelled, running at JOHN AFTER. They each had SPATULAS in their hands and began to fight. "Stop!", I yelled, feeling so GIDDY. They didn't listen to me. Before I could intervene, JOHN AFTER fell to the floor and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.  

"What was that?" I asked, staring at the empty space. ETIENNE ST. CLAIR dropped his weapon, and came over to me. "Magic, but you are safe now, MUFFIN." He hugged me close, and I suddenly knew that this was the real deal and not just a dream.  

Just as CHASING CARS started playing in my head, I woke up. I cursed my COOL luck. Why had it only been just a dream?

Love-A-Thon Mini Challenge #1: Book Spine Poetry

 It's Love-a-Thon time! If you want to know more about this event, put together by the lovely Alexa and Katelyn, check it out here. It's the first mini challenge which is book spine poetry! So here's my bookish poem: 

If I Lie
Before I Fall
This Song Will Save Your Life
Unremembered
Ask the Passengers
All The Truth That's In Me

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon: Interview with The Runaway Reader

Hey friends! It's Love-a-Thon time! If you want to know more about this event, put together by the lovely Alexa and Katelyn, check it out here. That said, I'm so excited to introduce you to Annie from The Runaway Reader! I've had the pleasure of interviewing this amazing blogger, so learn a little more about her and make sure you check out her fantastic blog!
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Tell us three random things about yourself.

 I am 14 years old, I'm an only child and I love chocolate.

What has been one of your favorite moments of being a blogger?

It's hard to pinpoint individual moments because blogging has just generally been so much fun. I'd say one of my favourite moments though was participating in the very same Book Blogger Love-a-Thon last year. Back then, I didn't have much experience blogging yet so being a part of that event was a really great way for me to open up to the blogging community. It was so much fun, plus I met some really awesome bloggers!

What is one book that you wish you had written?

Harry Potter, for sure! (I know that's technically seven books) It has one of the most intricate storylines I've ever seen in a book and I just think it would be so cool to know that you're the mastermind behind this gigantic phenomenon. It's why I admire JK Rowling so much - you got to have a pretty wicked imagination to create something so great like Harry Potter!

What authors do you have on your auto-buy list?

Wendy Mass because all her books are so, so sweet. Patrick Ness because he's such a masterful storyteller. And Sophie Kinsella because she cheers me up and makes me laugh like no one else! 

Which genre would you love to see more of?

I would love to see more historical fiction. It's one of my favourite genres but I feel like in Young Adult especially, there just isn't such a great selection. So write more historical fiction, authors!

What are your five desert island books?

Tough, tough question! I actually remember doing a Top Ten Tuesday post for this topic a while ago so it's interesting to see it again! My first pick would probably be Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery just because I love that book so much. And Harry Potter too (I know I'm cheating with a series) because I also love them so much and they'd definitely provide me with tons of reading material. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins for something light and fun, as well as a chunkster like War and Peace to keep me thinking. I'd probably also bring something inspirational like The Happiness Project to keep my spirits up. 

Finish these sentences:  

My dream job is... not surprisingly, a blogger! How cool would it be to get paid to do your hobby? Plus, being a blogger means that I don't have to be stuck in a dingy office and can literally do my work from anywhere that has internet access. 
My favorite TV show to marathon is... New Girl. In my opinion, it's been going downhill since the last season but it's so hilaribad that I just can't help but enjoy it.
We could be best friends if... you don't mind me wanting to talk all the time.
Find Annie Online: Blog :: Twitter :: Goodreads :: Tumblr

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Blog Tour: Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen

I'm just thrilled to be a part of the tour for Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen hosted by Book Nerd Tours! Check out my review and then there's an amazing giveaway at the bottom of this post. You can also check out the other stops on this tour here
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Review
Scarlet totally captured my heart two years ago and I've anxiously waiting for more. Thankfully, Lady Thief more than satisfied my need for more Robin Hood in my life. One of the things that made Scarlet so incredible was the twist on a beloved classic - a twist that wrote women back into history and put them in the hero's shoes. 

In Lady Thief, I was reminded just how strong of a character Scarlet is and how incredible she is. It's just now so difficult to fathom a version of Robin Hood where Will Scarlet is a man now. It's always been a great tale, but it's just vastly greater with the addition of a strong heroine. When she's made to dress up and play the part of a Lady, she just does it so well. And by that, I mean, she fights it the whole way. I admire the way she never, ever gives in to any kind of pressure to be someone she isn't.

And let's just talk about Robin for a minute. He's never been the centerpiece of this version, but there's a whole lot of him in this book. And I freaking love it. The romance and the tension in this book is intense and perfect. Not to mention, Rob has always been a hero, but somehow he reveals his weaknesses and it makes him even stronger.

I'm just in love with this version of Robin Hood. I will say I wish I had the time to re-read Scarlet before jumping in to Lady Thief, but it all came back to me before too long. The dialect also threw me more than it did in the first book, but that also got easier as I got into the swing of it. I didn't know going in that there would be another book after this one, so the ending threw me for a loop. But I'm so excited that there will be more of these characters. 
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About Lady Thief
Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.

Book Links: Indiebound :: B&N :: Amazon :: Goodreads
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About the Author
I am shamelessly addicted to staying up far too late (it feels like stealing time), diet coke (it burns so good), Scotland (stupid country stole my heart and won't give it back. Interpol has been ineffective for prosecution) and thieves (so I guess I'm not that mad at Scotland). 

Find A.C. Gaughen Online: Website :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Tumblr
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Giveaway

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Cover Reveal: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

We're extremely excited to bring you the cover for ALL LINED UP, the first book in Cora Carmack's highly anticipated Rusk University Series! ALL LINED UP is a New Adult Contemporary Romance novel published by William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins). It is due to be released on May 13, 2014!!
   
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About All Lined Up
In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.
 
Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.
But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.
Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.
Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.
And neither of them knows how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

“Laughter + heartache + hot sexual tension = the perfect Cora Carmack book.”
—Monica Murphy

Book Links: Amazon :: Barnes & Noble :: iTunes :: Goodreads
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About Cora Carmack
Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Find Cora Online: Website :: Twitter :: Facebook :: Author Goodreads 


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

In the Lyrics Blog Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway

Welcome to the blog tour for In the Lyrics by Nacole Stayton! I have an excerpt and a giveaway for you today. 
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Excerpt

“Do you know the first thing that I noticed about you?”
She shakes her head no.
“It was your confidence. I had just gotten to town and was going to grab a bite to eat and then call Dusty, but I saw this girl sitting on the street corner.”
        “I felt like you were staring holes in my head,” she says softly.
        “Truthfully, I was. Anyway, once you started to sing…it was like…ya know when your favorite song comes on the radio and you’re jammin’, listening to every word, your heads bobbin’, and you’re just feeling the music, but then your phone rings and you know it’s a call you can’t miss? There’s a split second where you debate on pressing forward to voicemail so you can finish the song, but you’ve been waiting for this call, so you turn down the radio knowing you’ll miss your favorite part just to answer it. It was like you were my favorite song, and I was forwarding my calls to voicemail. In that moment, I didn’t care who was standing around me. All I was worried about was tuning in to you, listening to your voice.”
        “I love you.” Those three simple words are spoken, and much to my amazement it’s Hensley that says them first.
        Clutching her face hard in my hands, I kiss her. I kiss her for being so darn dumb and insecure, for acting like a jealous girl, and more importantly, for loving me through it all.

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About the Book 

Title: In the Lyrics
Author: Nacole Stayton
Publication Date: February 7, 2014


 Hensley Bradley is the definition of the girl-next-door. She’s kindhearted, beautiful, and talented. Bored with her mundane life, thoughts of fleeing her small town begin to consume her. With aspiring dreams to use her voice as a one-way ticket, she suddenly discovers that music might not be her only passion.

After a fallout back home, Colby Grant decides to leave his family’s farm, determined to show his father he’s more than just a wanna-be country singer. With his All-American good looks, it doesn’t take long for girls in his new town to focus their eyes on him. But things aren’t what they appear from the outside, and it isn’t long until Colby feels he doesn't fit into the perfect world that so quickly embraced him.

A chance encounter places Hensley in Colby’s path, but it isn’t her natural beauty that first captures his attention – it’s her voice.

When love and music mix, will the combination blossom into a beautiful melody or wither into a heart-wrenching tune?

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About the Author

Nacole Stayton is twenty-something years young and currently resides in the Bluegrass State. She spends her days working at a local hospital in the billing department and nights writing vigorously on her current novel. She has a passion for helping others and wears her University of Kentucky gear proudly. While her husband loves all things outdoors, Nacole enjoys the finer things in life, like getting pedicures while reading on her Kindle Fire. She is passionate about her faith, family, and The Bachelor.

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Giveaway