#YAPARTY - 5/28/2015

WELCOME TO THE 2015

#YAPARTY on Twitter!!!!

LIZA, ANDYE, AND HANNH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND THE #YAPARTY

WHERE: Your couch, BEA, the mall, your bed ... anywhere you can access Twitter means you're at the party!

WHEN: May 28, 2015, 8-11 PM EST

Please tweet during those hours! But . . .

If you won't be around during that time, we recommend scheduling tweets using TweetDeck.

(ONLY entries during that time will count!)

A HUGE THANK YOU to the publishers, authors, and bloggers who provided the prize packages! See each one below.

(You must be 13 years old or older. This post and the prize packages are accurate as of 5-21-15, but are subject to change until the 11:00 PM EST on May 28, 2015. Notification will be done through Twitter. Prizes are not exchangeable. Winners will be notified by June 15, 2015 or sooner. Shipping will be done through the prize donors. You must contact the donor within 24 hours or another winner will be chosen.)

What are the rules you ask?

They're simple:

Follow your hosts of this event: @irish_banana @ReadingTeen @LizaWiemer on Twitter (mandatory)

Follow the PUBLISHER or AUTHOR and/or BLOGGER and tweet (information listed below for each prize)! It's seriously as easy as copy and paste the tweets! 

PRIZE #1-5: (USA Only)

BEA STUFFED TO THE BRIM Tote Bag of books donated by over 10 publishers!! You'll get at least 10 new HOT new novels and swag!

3 YA Prize Packages

1 MG Prize Package

1 NA/Adult Prize Package

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty and follow the hosts. I hope to win one of 3 YA prize packages. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty and follow the hosts. I hope to win the MG prize package. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty and follow the hosts. I hope to win the NA/Adult prize package. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #6-7: (USA Only)

From Bloomsbury:

A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES Prize Pack:

A copy of the finished book, an ACOTAR bookmark, temporary tattoo, and a mask!

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty and follow @BloomsburyKids & the hosts. I hope to win the #ACOTAR prize package. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

BOLDLY BOOKISH Prize Package:

Finished copies of the Boldly Bookish books:

HOLD ME LIKE A BREATH by Tiffany Schmidt

THE START OF ME AND YOU by Emery Lord

LION HEART by A.C. Gaughen

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW by Trish Doller

Plus Boldly Bookish Swag!

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty and follow @BloomsburyKids & the hosts. I hope to win the BOLDLY BOOKISH prize package. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #8: (USA Only)

From Little Brown @TheNovl

#NovlBox YA Package including awesome swag and . . .

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between by Jennifer E. Smith

The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker (signed!)

Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin

Drift And Dagger by Kendall Kulper

Not If I See You First by Eric Linstrom

I Crawl Through It by AS King

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @TheNovl & the hosts. I hope to win a Little Brown mystery YA package! Info: http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #9: (INTERNATIONAL)

From Paper Lantern Lit: An e-copy of each title from The Studio OR an editorial review of 50 pages of a manuscript OR an editorial review of 15 pages of a plot outline.

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty and follow @PaperLanternlit & the hosts. I hope to win a 50 page manuscript review. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

Or

I joined the #YAParty & follow @PaperLanternlit & the hosts. Hope to win a 15 page plot outline editorial review. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

Or

I joined the #YAParty & follow @PaperLanternlit & the hosts. Hope to win an e-copy of each title from The Studio. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #10: (USA Only)

From Spencer Hill Press and Spencer Hill Contemporary

SIX (6) NEW TITLES!

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @SHContemp & the hosts. I hope to win a six-book package! http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #11-12: (USA Only)

From Books of Wonder:

Two lucky winners will win a signed copy of your choice of any book. Value not to exceed $20.00

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @BooksofWonder & the hosts. I hope to win a signed book of my choice! http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #13-14 (INTERNATIONAL)

From the hosts:

$10.00 Amazon Gift Card

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow the hosts. I hope to win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card! http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #15: (USA/Canada Only)

From Alloy Entertainment:

FIVE (5) Fabulous Books:

REBEL WING by Tracy Banghart

IMITATION by Heather Hildenbrand

VICIOUS by Sara Shepard (signed copy)

THE HEIRESSES by Sara Shepard (signed copy)

THE BLONDE by Anna Godbersen (signed copy)

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @alloyent & the hosts. I hope to win 5 fabulous novels! http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #16 (USA Only)

From author Martina Boone:

COMPULSION Prize Package: Compulsion for Reading T-shirt, signed hardcover, silver plated key necklace, & Compulsion & Persuasion trinket bookmarks

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @MartinaABoone & the hosts to win a COMPULSION prize package! http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #17 (USA Only)

From author M.G. Buehrlen:

A signed copy of THE 57 LIVES OF ALEX WAYFARE, a "Talk Nerdy to Me" sticker, bookmark, and a pair of Wayfarer sunglasses.

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @mgbuehrlen & the hosts to win a her novels! http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #18 (USA Only)

From Fiction Fare Bloggers Jaime & Erin Arkin:

A set of The Grisha Series by Leigh Bardugo with signed bookplates & lots of awesome swag, including a HUNGER GAMES T-shirt.

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @fictionfare & the hosts to win signed Leigh Bardugo's Grisha Series & swag! http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #19 (USA/Canada Only)

From Macmillan:

Graphic Novel Prize Package:

THIS ONE SUMMER by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

LAST MAN 1 & 2 by Bastien Vivès, Michaël Sanlaville, Balak

EXQUISITE CORPSE by Penelope Bageu

THE SCULPTOR by Scott McCloud

PRINCESS DECOMPOSIA AND COUNT SPATULA by Andi Watson

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @MacKidsBooks & the hosts to win a Graphic Novel Prize Package & swag! http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #20 (USA Only)

From Swoony Boys Podcast Bloggers Meg Caristi & Kassiah Faul:

Custom designed bracelet with book charms - covers your choice!

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @SwoonyBoys & the hosts to win a custom book bracelet. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #21 (USA Only)

From SimonTeen:

Mega prize package - 8 new YA titles and awesome swag

• A PulseIt tote bag

• A Zeroesstainless steel tumbler

• The following galleys:

o Carolyn Lee Adams, Ruthless

o Erin Bow, The Scorpion Rules

o Ellen Hopkins, Traffick

o Shaun David Hutchinson (editor), Violent Ends

o Daniel Krauss, The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch

o Heather W. Petty, Lock & Mori

o Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti, Zeroes

o Suzanne Young, Hotel Ruby

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @SimonTeen & the hosts to win 8 new YA titles & swag! http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #22 (USA & Canada Only)

From author Gayle Rosengren:

A signed copy of WHAT THE MOON SAID; a Tee shirt; a bookmark; a refrigerator magnet; and a key chain or luggage tag; PLUS a signed advanced reader copy of COLD WAR ON MAPLEWOOD STREET.

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @GayleRosengren & the hosts to win her fabulous MG prize package. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #23-24 (USA & Canada Only)

From PenguinRandomHouse:

2 mystery prize packages including some of the hottest YA titles!

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @PenguinTeen & the hosts to win 1 of 2 YA novel packages. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

PRIZE #25 (USA Only)

From author Liza Wiemer:

Signed ARC of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Signed Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen and "Unlock your hear and the rest is easy necklace."

Signed ARC of Hello? by Liza Wiemer and swag!

Tweet: I joined the #YAParty & follow @LizaWiemer & the hosts to win signed copies of ACOTAR, Saint Anything, & Hello?. http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com/2015/05/yaparty2015.html

*All prizes subject to change up until the day of the #YAParty! Checkin frequently for updates. We may add more prizes up until the event and throughout!*

Thanks for joining us!!!!
~Liza, Andye, & Hannah

Review: Hold Me Like A Breath by Tiffany Schmidt

Title: Hold Me Like A Breath

Author: Tiffany Schmidt

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication Date: 5.19.2015

Pages: 400

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Romance

Series: Once Upon A Crime Family #1

Source: ARC from publisher

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Penelope Landlow has grown up with the knowledge that almost anything can be bought or sold—including body parts. She’s the daughter of one of the three crime families that control the black market for organ transplants.

Penelope’s surrounded by all the suffocating privilege and protection her family can provide, but they can't protect her from the autoimmune disorder that causes her to bruise so easily.

And in her family's line of work no one can be safe forever.

All Penelope has ever wanted is freedom and independence. But when she’s caught in the crossfire as rival families scramble for prominence, she learns that her wishes come with casualties, that betrayal hurts worse than bruises, that love is a risk worth taking . . . and maybe she’s not as fragile as everyone thinks.

Review:

I have to admit I'm struggling with this book. I'm not sure what I expected when I started HOLD ME LIKE A BREATH, but it wasn't this. Tiffany Schmidt took me on a journey and I don't know if I want to commend her ... or shake her.

Let's go with what worked:

Pen. Penelope was such a fun character to read over all. Her growth and journey during this story is a thing of beauty. My heart ached for her when she was constantly wrapped in cotton to keep from breaking. Her frustration bled off the pages. I couldn't help but root for her.

Also? Schmidt has a beautiful way of writing that utterly captivates and enthralls a reader. I love when she puts a story to life.

What didn't work:

The romance. Pen's biggest flaw is how fast she switched from one guy to the next., especially after only knowing one for a handful of minutes. What's faster than insta-love?

Maybe I’m just sore the guy I was rooting for didn't win. Could be I have a case of sour grapes that tainted the love story aspect of this story for me and others will have no problem with it. Whatever it was, it didn’t work for me but it also didn’t detract from the inherent awesome of the overall story.

Regardless, it is still a book I don't regret reading. I think people are going to love it, and the world Schmidt crafts is one in the not-too-distant future that you can almost (scarily) see taking shape now. It's a compelling start to a new series.

Buy: Hold Me Like a Breath

There's a GIF For That: Prep & Pack for #BEA15

Since the last two of these seemed to be a hit, I figured now that BEA is in less than 2 weeks, we needed a GIFs for BEA prepping and packing.

Like when you realize that BEA is in less than 2 weeks ....

But you still need to survive another full week of work ....

Oh, yeah, and you volunteered to work overtime because that means more money for BEA & NYC ....

.... except you don't get paid until after you return from BEA ....

You should probably start packing ....

No, really. Start packing ....

Or maybe you should go shopping ....

You have your schedule, right?

Yes, schedule. As in the one that tells you when all the drops are, signings are ....

You just realized you have 5 MUST HAVES in the same 30 minute block, didn't you?

We've all been there ....

You've got your hotel booked ....

And you have your roommates ....

But just because you've never met one of them in person doesn't mean they're crazy or anything ....

Wait - you did pack, right?

But inevitably you'll forget something ....

And have to buy it in NYC ....

Or realize you printed your color coded schedule in black & white ....

Or notice they changed the times on half of the signings you wanted to get to ....

But it's OK, because you've trained all year for this one event ....

You've got this ....

You still haven't packed yet, have you?

Really? You're taking books to a book convention where you will get more books?

Yeah, so am I .... 

Like this? Check out: 
There's a GIF For That: BEA Edition
There's a GIF For That: BookCon Edition

Blog Tour & Giveaway: 5 to 1 by Holly Blodger

Character Dossier: Asha

Full Name: Asha Pitale

Birthdate: August 23, 2037

Age: 17

Birthplace: Koyanagar

Height: 5’2”

Weight:  115 lbs

Eyes:  Dark brown

Hair: Black, wavy

Marital Status: Engaged to be married in one week

Parents:  Nissim and Haiya Pitale (but I call them Baaba and Aai).

Siblings: None, but Susa has always been like a sister to me.

Current Residence:  In a fourth floor flat in Tower B of Koyanagar Heights. For now…

Greatest accomplishment:  Getting a perfect score on both my Calculus and Algebra finals this past March.

Greatest dream: To become an engineer somewhere far away like Australia or America.

Most valuable possession: A photo of Baaba and Aai on their wedding day. They looked so happy. Couples never look like that when they get married now. The girls always look disappointed and the boys always look terrified.

Strengths:  Numbers. I’ve been able to do sums in my head since I was a child. I used to tell Susa that I was going to pick Mathematics for my last test, but when it came time to announce it, I did not see the point. None of the boys left had any chance of figuring out a complicated equation. It would have been mean to embarrass them like that.

Weaknesses:  Aai says I have a quick temper. I can’t help it. Everything about Koyanagar makes me angry, especially the leaders.

Fears: Being stuck in Koyanagar for the rest of my life.

Happiest Memory:  When Tanu told me that he would follow me to the end of the Earth.

Saddest Memory: When Aai told me she and Baaba wanted me to leave them forever.

Biggest regret: Not trying harder to make Susa see what her nani is like. I know she loves her and respects her, but that doesn’t mean she should be blind to her lies.

Character Dossier: Nani

Full Name:  Arpana Mehra

Birthdate: May 12, 1998

Age:  56

Birthplace: Mumbai, India

Height: 5’ 1”

Weight: 135 lbs

Eyes:  Brown

Hair: White/grey

Marital Status:  (Happily) Widowed

Parents:  Deceased

Siblings: One sister (Yasmin) who reminds me that she is older every single day

Current Residence:  Penthouse flat in Tower B of Koyanagar Heights

Greatest accomplishment: Coming up with the Love Your Daughters campaign. This was really what made the people of Koyanagar want to separate from India. They merely had to look at Surina’s face and they knew it was the right thing to do.

Greatest dream: To be President of Koyanagar. Yasmin thinks she will be next. Perhaps she will be. She has always had everything handed to her—a wealthy husband, Papa’s love. She never has to work for things or get her hands dirty, but she will not be a good President if this does not change. Being a leader means making hard decisions. I’m not afraid of that.

Most valuable possession: Koyanagar Registry. There is a backup copy in the State Council safe, but it does not have my notes in it.

Strengths:  I am very resourceful.

Weaknesses: Yasmin. She always finds a way to make me feel like I must obey her because I owe her for helping get Nalini and me off the street. It is a debt as deep as a well.

Fears: Men with power. They are too easily corrupted by it. That is why women must lead Koyanagar.

Happiest Memory: When Yasmin, Papa and I first moved to Powai. That was before Yasmin got married and moved to Koyanagar. Before Papa realized he hated me.

Saddest Memory:  When my sass told me that my first daughter had been stillborn. I knew she was lying. I’d heard the baby cry outside, right before she was murdered.

Biggest regret: That I didn’t run away from my husband sooner.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

ABOUT 5 TO 1

Sudasa doesn't want to be a wife and Kiran, a boy forced to compete in the test to become her husband, has other plans as well. Sudasa's family wants nothing more than for their daughter to do the right thing and pick a husband who will keep her comfortable--and caged. Kiran's family wants him to escape by failing the tests. As the tests advance, each thwarts the other until they slowly realize that they might want the same thing.

 Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

ABOUT HOLLY BODGER

HOLLY BODGER has a BA in English Literature and has spent her entire career in publishing. She is an active member of RWA and is a 2013 Golden Heart finalist in the Young Adult category. She lives in Ottawa, Canada.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Tessa Ever After by Brighton Walsh

Interview:

1.) You started laying the groundwork for TESSA EVER AFTER during CAGED IN WINTER (book 1). Did you know you wanted Tessa and Jase to have their own story from the beginning? Or did they surprise you like they did me?

They totally surprised me! It wasn’t until the scene in CiW where Tessa is asking Cade if he can watch Haley while Tessa goes on a date and Jase gets all butthurt and territorial about it that I thought…wait a minute. What’s this all about?

2.)  Tessa isn't your normal New Adult heroine - most are tackling college, not motherhood and working and trying to work in romance. What do you love most about Tessa?

I love her strength. I can’t even fathom the struggles she’s been through in her life, but she’s come out on the other side, and she’s still standing. And not only that, but she has a great outlook on life and is a wonderful role model to Haley (hallway hump notwithstanding).

3.)  I gotta know - what happened to Haley's dad?!

Nothing terribly exciting. He’s a douchebag. He was eighteen and his girlfriend just told him she was pregnant. He did what douchebags do—bailed. I didn’t bring it into the story because it’s really not part of their story. Tessa isn’t missing anything by him not being in her life, and Haley isn’t either—between her uncle and his friends, she’s had plenty of male role models in her life. Tessa’s never gone after him for child support…she hasn’t wanted him in Haley’s life, so I didn’t bring him back. Plus, I sort of thought bringing him into the story would be drama for the sake of drama, and I don’t like that much.

4.) Will we ever see Tessa and Jase again ... in another book?

I see what you’re trying to do here. ;) I would love the chance to hang out with all these characters again!

5.)  The fate of the world depends on this answer, so you must decide one way or another: You're stranded on an island for 3 months - who do you have with you for, uh, company? Jase or Cade?

Man, that’s a toughie. Initial thought was Jase because, well, Jase. But then I thought, I bet Cade could find something for us to eat on the island, and he’d totally cook for me every day. Plus, Jason’s more high maintenance. LOL Plus, plus, Cade has, like, gobs of muscles. Final answer: Cade.

About TESSA EVER AFTER:

In this grippingly emotional New Adult novel from the author of Caged in Winter, what you want isn’t always what you need…

Jason’s been living (and loving) the rich playboy lifestyle for five years, but now his parents are pressuring him to get involved in the family business. The last thing he wants is another obligation, but when his best friend moves out of state and asks Jason to look after his sister, he can’t just say no.

Tessa had to grow up way too soon. After dealing with the aftermath of her parents’ deaths, then becoming a teenage mom, she knows the meaning of responsibility. Which is why, at twenty-two, she’s looking for so much more than a party boy. She’s looking for someone who can stand by her and her daughter…forever.

A relationship between them is doomed from the start, but who says they can’t have a little fun? But as Jason gets closer to Tessa—and her daughter—fun starts to turn into something else… Something Jason’s not sure he’s ready for.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books a Million | iBooks | Kobo

About Brighton Walsh:

Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with writing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children.

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West

Title: The Fill-In Boyfriend

Author: Kasie West

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: 5.5.2015

Pages: 352

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Series: N/A

Source: ARC from NCTE

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend— two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.

The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party — three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.

Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.

Review:

Over the last couple of years, I’ve had the pleasure of attending book conferences in the late fall/early winter and it’s kind of become a competition with my friends so see who can get their hands on the newest Kasie West book before the others (thus triggering a stampede of anxious readers and bloggers flocking to a single booth). When I managed to lock my hands around a copy of this at NCTE in November, it was like angels heralding, babies giggling and snow falling peacefully around me all at once. I’ve been excited for the FILL-IN BOYFRIEND for over a year, and trust me, it delivers.

West has a knack for infusing wit, heart and quirk in all her main characters, and Gia is no exception. She sparkles on every page, making me laugh and swoon and sigh at all the right places. She is a good girl with a good heart and a few not-so-wonderful ideas that blow up in her face, often in humorous ways.

The scenes between Gia and H—um, I mean, non-Bradley absolutely sizzle. Their chemistry is off the charts and what starts off as an unconventional date slowly evolves into a true friendship and more. It’s definitely one of my favorite YA romances ever.

Fans of West are likely already lining up to buy THE FILL-IN BOYFRIEND , but if you’ve never had the pleasure of one of her books, I encourage—beg—you to start here. You won’t be sorry!

Buy: The Fill-In Boyfriend