Waiting on Wednesday

My Clarity

By: M. Clarke (Mary Ting)

Available May 12, 2014


** This is a New Adult romance novel recommended for ages 18+
due to sexual content and mature subject matter.**

Still reeling from the death of her father, Alexandria hopes to find both independence and reprieve from her grief by heading off to college. However, life throws her a serious curveball when she discovers that her roommate isn’t quite the person she had imagined.



Smoking, tattoos, and street racing for fast cash are Elijah’s only interests. A harsh life has made him apathetic and indifferent, until Alexandria enters his life. When their paths cross, turmoil abounds.



An inevitable encounter, an undeniable attraction, and an unexpected chance at love—will it be enough?

{{{ADD TO GOODREADS}}}

COUNT DOWN BEGINS!

Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke is also a featured author at Chapter by Chapter Book Rave happening September 20th! Check it out! Click photo below.

Top 10 Things To Know About Me Before #BEA14

Top 10 Things To Know About Me Before #BEA14

I'm leaving for #BEA14 in 4 weeks from today (OMG - 4 weeks!), so for those of you who haven't met me, here's what you need to know:

1. I suck at remembering names. I just do. This is especially true if we talk on twitter and your handle and picture are totally different from you in real life (unless your name really is Reading and you strongly resemble a book cover). Don't take it personally if I study your badge to place you.


2. I love when people say hi. Not sure if someone will say hi or smile back? I am so your girl. Feel free to shout my name - you won't embarrass me. It happens all the time.

3. I'm 6' tall (yes, six feet) and so I'm usually fairly easy to spot in a crowd. Also I can reach things high up on shelves. It also means I can reach over people to grab books during galley drops. Feel free to ask me to pass you something.


4. I'm very excitable. Think preschooler on a sugar high on Christmas morning. I get giddy and silly and sometimes have to be told to chillax.

5. My name may mean "grace" but I seriously lack it. I have a tendency to wobble and stumble just standing still.  It would be funny if I didn't knock things over on occasion or look like I'm drunk.


6. I accept all forms of hugs - tackle, one-armed, group, bear, and any other. I'm a hugger. If you have a problem with this, make sure to say so before I go in for the kill.

7. I am a human map. I memorize maps of places - amusement parks, schools, etc. - and the Javits is no exception. If you get turned around on the floor, ask me where a booth is and I can point you in the right direction.

8. I have no problem making a fool of myself, so if you're too embarrassed to do or ask something, come get me. Odds are I'll do it. 

9. I don't do coffee, but I have a major obsession with coca cola. Don't be shocked if you see me down several at a time.

10. If you see me running, keep up. Because there has either been a galley drop of cash or the building is on fire. Either way, you should be running, too.

Any questions?

Review: Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Title: Better Off Friends

Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

Publisher: Point

Publication Date: 2.25.2014

Pages: 288

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Series: No

Source: ARC from ALA MW

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can't be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan's friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they're best friends -- which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't keep getting in each other's way. Guys won't ask Macallan out because they think she's with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can't help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again -- and one kiss away from true love?

Review:

Well hello fantastically fun and flirty book! Where have you been all my life? Elizabeth Eulberg won her way into my heart with this book (seriously, I need to read all of her books).

You want to write my ultimate romance book? This is it. I absolutely love the friends-becoming-more angle. There is no insta-love, star struck moment where the heroine walks into the room and our hero sees her and immediately must fight his need to eat her love her.

What? You know it's true.

The great thing about Macallan and Levi is their ease with each other. Whether they make it to the end as a super couple or just stay friends for life, it didn't matter. Their genuine friendship as it goes through the years, the ups and the downs - of which there are many - showcases that all relationships, romantic or otherwise, take work. It's not easy, but it is worth it.

BETTER OFF FRIENDS is the book you will finish and want to go hug your best friend. I know I did. It was a fast, breezy read that made me smile and sigh in all the best ways.

Buy: Amazon

Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cress

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publication Date: 2.4.2014

Pages: 550

Genre: SciFi, Young Adult, Dystopian

Series: Lunar Chronicles #3

Source: ARC from publisher

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Review:

I was so excited when I heard Cress was coming out and just had to read it knowing it would be, as Hannah always says "amazeballs".  Then I started seeing all the hype on social media about #savecress and I was like who is that and why do they need saving? I get it now!

Again with the childhood stories made badass. I knew as soon as I started which this one would be. It would be hard not to. And this version is one I will be telling my kids. Well the entire series really.

Cress seems like the sweetest girl who is only trying to do right. Even if she knows it isn't but can do nothing about it as her life depends on it. Like every girl she day dreams about a different life and a handsome hero coming to rescue her. I could only imagine what it would be like to actually meet him one day. And be totally out of the social loop that you have no idea how to act. That was so historical my fiancée thought I was dying from laughing so hard. Even just trying to imagine that situation made me laugh harder. She seems so innocent and really understand all the hype on Facebook and twitter now.

There were a lot of little twists that had me gasping. And I just couldn't put it down. I have come to love the "crew" and know you would as well. I want to rave about this book so much more but I am afraid of spoiling it. If you read Cinder and Scarlet, then you know how amazing and captivating this will be.

Marissa is one amazing author and I can only imagine what went into this book. Sadly, Winter doesn't come out for a while. I will go crazy waiting!

 Buy: Amazon

Bloggers Anonymous: Enough is Enough

Welcome to the first edition of Blogger Anonymous. Not quite so anonymous, but definitely a place where people (mainly me, but feel free to join in), post about issues and drama that is currently plaguing me pertaining to blogging.

I debated about making this post for over a month now. Debated, toiled, fretted, worried, plotted, pondered, agonized - 

OK, maybe not agonized.

I feel like this is an issue every blogger faces at some point: Jealousy. And not just "Oh, that's a cute bracelet" jealous. I mean gut churning, dark thoughts, I give up jealous. I seem to be seeing more and more of this, and I will admit I've struggled with this myself. 

About two months ago I was truly fighting daily with myself about closing the blog down for good. It's something my friends and my awesome co-blogger knew about, but I felt like admitting it openly - to everyone in the blogosphere - was ridiculous and so not important in the grand scheme of things. But I didn't like the person blogging was turning me into.

What started as a fun hobby had morphed into an obsession that was constantly eating at me. Every instagram post I saw where a blogger got an ARC or 10 I didn't get, I wondered what I had done wrong. How could I be a better blogger? How could I get on people's radar? What new ways could I up my comments? Or bring more page hits?

It got to the point where I was legit obsessed to a point that was scaring me. I feel like since I started blogging I've always been chasing an unattainable number. When I first started it was all about the GFC count. I convinced myself that if I could hit 1,000 GFC followers then I had arrived. Cue the marching band and confetti. (Please don't ask where/why/how my twisted little mind decided that was the magic number.) And then, about a year and a half after blogging, I hit that number. I was elated.

For a week.

But then it wasn't about GFC numbers anymore. I was about my Klout score. My Twitter followers. My Facebook likes, my email subscribers ... Every time I wrapped my mind around one set of numbers, it changed. Now it's page views. Or unique page views. Maybe both (it took me almost a year to figure out the distinction). 

Wait - or is it Bloglovin' followers?

HOLD ON! This just in! Something called an Alexa is the new standard by which bloggers are judged? The only Alexa I know was in a couple Spy Kids movies back in the day, but OK....

Blogging stopped being a fun hobby and became a chore that I dreaded. Reading books wasn't exciting - it was a means to an end. Read a book to write a review. Post a review to get some page views. I found myself competing with my friends - I got irrationally jealous when they had more twitter followers than me. Or more comments on their posts. 

I finally hit my breaking point one night where I had my cursor positioned on the "Delete Blog" button. I was done. I was over feeling like crap and worrying and freaking out about stuff that - at the end of the day - wasn't the be all/end all of my life.

It took a lot of furious text message sessions between some bloggers friends before I finally settled down and decided to take a step back. I made a conscious decision to breathe and not touch the blog for a week and back away from social media. After the first couple of days, it became easier. Instead of trying to adhere to a a strict book reading and posting schedule, I just did what I wanted.

You know - the way I did when I first started down this rabbit hole 3 years ago.

I guess the reason I'm bringing up all of this now is because I have several friends who are currently struggling with this very thing. And I know we can't be the only ones. I don't want to see a lot of awesome bloggers throw in the towel because they forgot - we forgot - why we started doing this at in the first place.

So what if you don't get that ARC everyone else did? Can you honestly tell me you don't have a shelf or more of unread books somewhere? If people have better stats than you? More followers? More power to 'em. 

Every follower you have in every facet of blogging and social media is someone saying, "You're worth it and you matter" on a daily basis. If even 5 people are willing to follow you, that's amazing. You've influenced and touched those 5 people.

So, stop and count. Right now. Do it. How many people have you reached? Can you name them all? How long would it take you to write each and every single one of them a quick "Thanks for following me" note? 

I'm not saying I'll never get jealous again. But now I can keep it in better perspective and I'm loving blogging again. It's fun. And isn't that the whole point?

Review: Tease by Amanda Maciel

Title: Tease

Author: Amanda Maciel

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: 4.29.2014

Pages: 336

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Issues, Bullying

Series: No

Source: ARC from ALA MW

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault.

At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is the one who's ostracized, already guilty according to her peers, the community, and the media.

During the summer before her senior year, in between meetings with lawyers and a court-recommended therapist, Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment—and ultimately consider her role in an undeniable tragedy. And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over.

In this powerful debut novel inspired by real-life events, Amanda Maciel weaves a narrative of high school life as complex and heartbreaking as it is familiar: a story of everyday jealousies and resentments, misunderstandings and desires. Tease is a thought-provoking must-read that will haunt readers long after the last page.

Review:

I am fully expecting to be in the minority when it comes to my thoughts on this book, but I loved it. I don’t know that most seasoned authors would try to tackle this aspect of bullying, let alone a debut author, but Amanda Maciel utterly blew me away with TEASE.

Let’s talk about Sara, our narrator. Sara is unapologetic and truly doesn’t see what she did was wrong for the majority of this book. She blames Emma for killing herself, Emma’s parents for not watching out for Emma, Brielle for being the dominant friend she had to please … Emma was an annoying, whiner who truly could not see what she did wrong.

I will admit that this floored me. I wanted to shake her. How did she not see that what she and Brielle were doing to Emma was cruel and bullying? It took me half a book to wrap my head around Sara, and even then I frequently had to set this book down for a day or so because she left me fuming with her ignorance and aloofness. It took me a couple weeks to read this book. Weeks.

But here’s where I finally figured Sara out and it both humbled and sobered me: We’re all Sara. Sara didn’t do or say anything that we haven’t. I could be all pious and stand on my soapbox and say what a disgusting, disturbing book this is because the main character feels no remorse for what she did, but I challenge any of you to read this and not find yourself in Sara.

How many times have you been with your girlfriends and laughed about another girl? Gone out with coworkers and bashed another girl in the office? How many of you have been cheated on and blamed the other woman instead of your guy? Every time you’ve thought, muttered, whispered or shouted, “whore” “bitch” “slut” “skank” or any other colorful insult (that admittedly flies off my lips with way too much ease), you are Sara. You are a bully.

Yes, Sara does go through a shift of her personality and while she spends the vast majority of the book in an ignorant, bitter haze, she does start to come out of it. I love that Maciel told it from Sara’s point of view. We’ve all seen the newspaper articles, People magazines, news blasts of these tragic suicides brought about from bullying. But it always bothered me that as much as people spouted the evils of bullying, they bullied and condemned the bullies. Somehow two wrongs made a right, and that never sat with me.

This book is going to be very polarizing. You will love it or hate it, but I beg of you to see it for what it is and see the power and raw beauty in what Maciel says. It takes a remarkable author to make me love a book and hate a main character, but that was the line Maciel walked for the bulk of this book with me. It is incredibly powerful and moving.

Buy: Amazon

Review: Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Don’t Look Back

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Publication Date: 4.15.2014

Pages: 384

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller

Series: No

Source: ARC from ALA MW

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend. 

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash. 

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

Review:

Jennifer L. Armentrout has been an “auto-buy” author for me for quite some time now. I’ve yet to read something of hers I didn’t love and DON’T LOOK BACK is no exception. But more than that, Armentrout continually proves herself to be a versatile writer. She has mastered steamy scenes, made me fall for a demon, a gargoyle, a god, and an alien, but now she once again proves no genre is outside of her reach with the creepy contemporary thriller.

I loved Sam from the beginning. I loved her snark and wit and that her inner monologue was what I expected my own to be if I woke up with a blank memory. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her break away and question her friends, not blindly led around by people she was supposed to love and trust.

Carson was my hero. I need one of him in my life. The way he protected and challenged Sam was exactly what Sam needed.

This plot takes more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. Nothing is what it seems, everyone has an ulterior motive, and if you think you know what happened, I promise you don’t. Fans of Armentrout’s undoubtedly had this one on pre-order, but for those who haven’t been WOWed by her before or never got into her paranormal novels, DON’T LOOK BACK is a wonderful place for you to fall in love with her writing.

 Buy: Amazon

Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Title: Scarlet

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Publication Date: 2.5.2013

Pages: 454

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, SciFi

Series: Lunar Chronicles #2

Source: Purchased finished copy

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison--even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Review:

Little Red Riding Hood was always a childhood favorite. And now I have an even better version!  That was the first thing that came to mind after reading this. Just like Cinderella came to mind with Cinder.

I love how Marissa took that childhood story and made into something so much more and personally way better. Scarlet has so much character and spark I wish i could meet her. I think we would get along really well. With not knowing who she was at first, I was so intrigued by her that I had to keep reading. She is so determined and goes after what she believes in with all her heart. She isn't afraid to do anything even if means risking herself to save ones she loves. She is very inspirational.

One of my favorite characters was Wolf. He was so mysterious. Giving little bits of his life at a time, giving you a minute to think he was really the bad guy. I loved him, how could you not?!

I could sit her and list thousands of things about this book that were amazing.  I was always gasping and going "oh no" or "no way" throughout this whole book. You think you know what's going to happen and BAM, just kidding totally not what happens.  It would be hard not to love a badass version of Little Red Riding Hood. How could you not love that? Marissa definitely didn't disappoint in this second book. I will be rereading this series over and over.

 

Buy: Amazon

Cover Reveal: Mortal Enchantment by Stacey O'Neale

Today, Stacey O'Neale and Phoenix Reign Publishing are revealing the cover for

MORTAL ENCHANTMENT, releasing on May 20, 2014!

Check out the awesome cover and enter to win a $50 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card!!!

On to the reveal!

“Mortal Enchantment spins a unique twist on elemental mythology. This series is not to be missed.”

Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

In Kalin Matthew's world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she's built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she's attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past.

Worst of all, she learns her father is missing.

To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements—power Kalin has yet to realize.

As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more...

Add to your Goodreads TBR!!!

If you haven't read THE SHADOW PRINCE, you can download if NOW for FREE from Amazon and Barnes & Noble!!!

Every sacrifice has consequences.

Sixteen-year-old Rowan has spent most of his life living among the mortals—learning to control the element of fire, impatiently awaiting the day his vengeful mother, Queen Prisma, will abdicate her throne. When he finally returns to Avalon for his coronation, his mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the court by completing a secret mission:

Kill Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king.

Willing to do anything to remove his mother from power, he agrees to sacrifice the halfling. He returns to the mortal world with his best friend, Marcus, determined to kill the princess. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?

Available for FREE on Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Also available in PRINT from Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.

Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview: Julie Harrington

1. What was your inspiration for SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT?

The biggest inspiration for this story, like most of my books, comes from
real life.  Sometimes it's a question or a philosophical musing.  In this
case the inspiration was "change."

I'd been a caregiver to my grandparents for over 10 years.  When that
ended, I suddenly had all this time and attention that used to be devoted
to taking care of others that now shifted to taking care of myself.  It
sounds great, but at the same time all that change, being forced to
examine your life and where you want to go, what you want to be, it was
overwhelming.

Drastic changes can be frightening, and when you go through an experience
like caregiving, your attitude about life, about people and what's really
important is challenged.  Annabell Leahey and Mitchell Black came out of
those challenges.  They were both caregivers in different situations.  Now
both are a little lost.  Ann wants to embrace change and be a little wild,
a little bad.  Who better to show her the ropes than Mitchell, the town's
legendary bad boy?  That's when sparks start to fly.  Ann & Mitchell's
story is a really about two people learning how to have fun again and
finding unexpected love along the way.  And humor.  I'm a big believer in
laughter in life.

2. Have you always been a writer?

I can't remember a time when I didn't want to write.  I totally give
credit to my 4th grade teacher for inspiring my love of writing.  From
that day forward I either had my nose buried in a book to read or in a
notebook to write.

3. What is the best/worst thing of being an indie author?

I've skirted the edge of indie author so far.  All my books have been
published through e-publishers who have worked with me to bring each book
to life.  Some projects have required a more indie author attitude.
During that work I definitely discovered the pros and cons.

On the Pro side there's a lot of control.  You write what you like, how
you like and get to tell the story your way.  You can publish as fast as
you want.  Your book doesn't sit around while you try to find an agent or
a publisher, or sit around even longer as you wait for your actual
publication date.  I've had books sit with publishers for three to five
years.  That's not a complaint.  That's really how long the process can
last.  It shocks writers when they hear that sometimes.  As an indie
author, you also control pricing.  You get all the income from the
royalties.  There's a lot of freedom to being your own boss.

On the Con side there's a lot of responsibility mixed in with all that
control, like editing, proofreading, formatting, and creating the cover.
That's just getting the book physically done.  You're writer, editor,
copy-editor, graphic designer.  After the book is done, you have to
distribute, promote, and get it reviewed.  It's a lot of work.  You also
have to get a website going, a blog if you have one, establish your social
media platforms, do the bookkeeping, keep track of expenses, learn about
taxes, etc.  It can be very overwhelming.  There are lots of great
services that can help, but the learning curve can feel really steep.
Fortunately, the writing community is supportive and can help you avoid
pitfalls.

I think being honest about what your strengths and weaknesses are is
really important.  Knowing what you can do, what you want to do, and what
you can farm out to other people or services is crucial.  You learn that
it's okay to not be great at everything.  You can be indie and still farm
out some tasks to help make success easier.  On the flipside you'll
discover some talents you didn't even know you had.  It's all about
balance.

4. What are your "must haves" while writing? Coffee? Music? Silence?

My only real "must have" is a schedule.  I write best when I have a solid
start and stop time and I stick to it.  If I wait for inspiration to
strike, it spells doom for any progress.

I also love uninterrupted writing time.  A schedule helps create that.  I
can't write to music but I learned I didn't need silence either during two
years of construction on my home (complete with jackhammers).  That's when
I found out I could tune just about anything out!

My other big "must have" is the will-power to resist distractions.  If the
phone rings, I let voicemail get it.  I stay offline unless I need to
research something.  I won't check my email unless I'm taking a break.
It's those little time-stealers that will rob an entire day away before
you even realize it.

5. What upcoming projects are you working on?

I have several projects I'm working on but the two largest ones are a
contemporary and paranormal series.

The contemporary romance series follows a group of women whose lives
change due to a wedding invitation.  That invitation sets off a domino
effect that brings all the heroes into their lives.  I love that each
story has some real life magic to them, exploring fate, destiny, and soul
mates.  Each story should be a fun, sexy adventure, just like a getaway to
a romantic island resort should be!

The paranormal romance series is a departure from my previously published
books but a return to an old genre I love.  I'd written paranormal
romances in fan fiction and just fell in love with the cool mix of
romance, magic, and adventure.  The genre's been calling to me lately and
these characters just excite me.  The series brings a group of witches
together with some sinfully sexy demons.  What excites me the most about
this series is that each story brings together all the elements I
personally love.  There's action, danger, myth and legend, tattoos,
strong, sassy heroines and lots of hot heroes.  Muscles and magic.  Does
it get any better?

About the Author:
An unabashed romantic, Julie Harrington makes her home near Chicago,
Illinois.  Her love of reading and writing began in grade school with an
assignment – ironically enough – about our dream career that swerved her
from marine biologist to author.  Julie eventually won a contest in a
college literary magazine and the pursuit of publication led her to the
Romance Writers of America where she later became a Golden Heart Finalist
for Best Short Contemporary Romance with her novel Something To Talk
About.

When she's not writing, Julie devotes her time to her family and friends,
puts her degree in Computer Information Systems to good use as a recording
secretary, and spends way too much time online hunting for new additions
to her ever-growing collection of dragons.

Links:
Website: http://www.julieharrington.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Harrington/238324822904744
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JewelHarrington

Review: Something to Talk About by Julie Harrington

Title: Something To Talk About

Author: Julie Harrington

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: 4.18.2012

Pages: 224

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Series: No

Source: Purchased ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Born-to-be-bland meets born-to-be-wild...

Annabelle Leahey is ready to be bad. Fed up with quilting bees and bridge clubs, Ann has to change or grow old alone. But going from bashful to bold won't be easy—especially since thong underwear is her idea of risqué. So Ann needs a guide, and rancher Mitchell Black is the perfect candidate.

The last thing Mitchell needs is more trouble. He hasn't lived down his bad boy days yet and he has no intention of resurrecting them now. But when Ann asks for his help, he can't refuse. Especially since the preacher's daughter has suddenly become a fireball of temptation.

Mitchell's determined to keep his role in Ann's research hands-off, but Ann has plans of her own. She intends to show Mitchell what's he's missing—and that being bad with the right person can be o-o-o-oh so good.

Review:

Let me start by saying that I have known Julie Harrington for over a decade in some way or another. I’ve read her work and was a fan, but before you think that means I would give SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT a little leniency, you’re dead wrong. Quite the opposite. Because I know what Harrington is capable of with her writing, I held her to an even higher standard than I would another author.

And she rose beautifully to the occasion.

Oh, Ann. Poor, sweet Ann who wants desperately to shed her goodie-two-shoes image and just be a bad girl for a little while. After losing her mother as a child and then her father when she was barely an adult, she’s been thrust into the role of caregiver for better part of a decade. Watching her wake up and take control of her own life was exciting and amusing all at once. I loved watching her with Mitchell from innocence to innuendo, these two thoroughly entertained me.

The only faults I could find with this book were that I wished the secondary characters has been expanded more (but I shall forgive this fault if Harrington gives Dillon and Justin their own books) and there wasn’t anything that shocked me with this book. But it is a swoony, sweet read that I devoured in a day.

Harrington has a gift when it comes to writing. From the bar room brawl in the beginning that had me chuckling aloud to the oh-so-steamy moments later on that had me reaching for some ice water, I was happily along for this journey. Definitely not a book to be missed!

Buy: Amazon

ARC Essentials: Disney-Hyperion

I know, I know - it's been awhile since I posted one of these! Sorry for the delay. The time just slipped away from me! But today I am so excited to welcome my friend, Cassie, onto the blog to talk about Disney-Hyperion!

1. What should I include when asking for a review copy (Page view stats? Follower count? All social media accounts)?

Good question! It is always helpful to include information about your blog like the number of unique visitors, social media followers, and mailing address. A sentence or two about why you are interested in the book is always great to see!

2. How long should I be blogging before I ask for a review copy?

Even if you are new to blogging, everyone has to start somewhere. It never hurts to request a book and you may get a copy!

3. Who should I contact about receiving review copies?

Each company is different. Usually there is a general email address that receives review request. Otherwise, NetGalley is a great resource to request books and to see the different titles that companies have coming up!

4. Should I email an author about obtaining a review copy and have them forward my request onto their publicist?

If you know the author personally, totally! If not, it may be easier to go directly to the publishing company.

5. Do you expect me to review books I never requested, such as an ARC or finished copy I was sent but never asked for?

No, but I would love it if you would! Blogger buzz is such a great way to get the word out there about a book and get people interested.

6. When is the best time to post a review?

I think that the best time to post a review is a month or two before the book goes on sale. It helps spread the word about a book and can make a big difference in a release!

7. Where can I send in review links?

I love to get reviews! Please send them to whoever sent you the book or any contact that you have at the publisher.

8. Do you want to see all reviews I’ve done—positive and negative?

Absolutely!

9. Am I more likely to get approved if I request an eARC of a book instead of a physical copy?

I look for the same things no matter what form of a book you are requesting.

10. When is the best time to request a book or be asked to be put on a list to receive a review copy?

It helps to get us the request several months before the release.

11. Do you have a catalog mailing list for bloggers that I can request to be a part of?

Stay tuned! We are always coming up with new ways to stay connected with bloggers.

12. If I want to interview an author or ask them to write a guest post for my blog, is it best to contact the author directly?

I think that it is always great to email the publicist and here is why: if they are organizing some sort of blogger cover reveal, giveaway, or tour, then they know that you are interested in the book.

13. Anything else you would like to add that you think bloggers should/need to know?

Hmmm… just that, for me, the best blogger request is enthusiastic, concise, and fun which makes them stick out! We love working with you and getting to know you.

*Note: All comments are my own opinion and not official statements or views of The Walt Disney Company.*

Giveaway:

3 Copies of THE RULES FOR BREAKING
by Ashley Elston

-Open to US/CA residents

-Must be over 13

a Rafflecopter giveaway