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Fierce by L.G. Kelso Blog Tour and Giveaway!

Friday, September 26, 2014

Hi everyone!

Thanks for having me! Since relationships and trust play a key role in Fierce, I thought it would be neat to list a few types of relationships that are often pretty intense bonds. We see some of these in fiction, and I would love to see more. There's a lot behind these relationships. That, and I'm a psychology nerd, so here we go.

What are some areas (jobs, sports etc) that significantly impact the types of relationships formed?
-Martial Arts. Fierce is a sports fiction novel with romance elements, and it focuses around mixed martial arts. A key component to the martial arts--in real life and in the novel--are the relationships and bonds formed among students. Trust is a big deal, especially when it comes to a smaller built person working with a bigger person (say a girl working with a guy).  You can end up in very vulnerable situations, especially when letting someone else learn joint locks or chokes, or getting thrown. It can also be a pretty intense setting, and so the relationships formed are usually pretty intense, form quickly, and differ from a lot of other relationships. There's also something about being around others who understand (because a good chunk of the population does not) why you do all of this to yourself.

-Police Department and Fire Department. I don’t think this one needs much explanation. Not only are these guys and girls in intense situations and have to save lives, they also have to have each other's back like no other.

-Military. Talk about bonding, intensity and looking out for one another.

-First Responders. Also, high intensity setting, and with the whole pressure of having to save a life--and trust that the person next to you knows what they are doing.

Can you think of some others to add to the list?




GIVEAWAY: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

9/15
So You’re a Writer… – Guest Post
9/16
Laura Howard- Promo
9/17
Word Forward- Interview
9/18
Every Free Chance- Interview
9/19
See Jaycee Juggle – Guest Post
S.J. Pajonas – Guest Post
9/20
9/22
9/23
Bookhounds- Interview
9/24
Mythical Books- Top Ten
9/25
9/26
Live to Read- Guest Post


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Tabula Rasa: Review and Giveaway!



The Bourne Identity meets Divergent in this action-packed debut thriller with a Katniss-esque heroine fighting to regain her memories and stay alive, set against a dystopian hospital background.

Sarah starts a crazy battle for her life within the walls of her hospital-turned-prison when a procedure to eliminate her memory goes awry and she starts to remember snatches of her past. Was she an urban terrorist or vigilante? Has the procedure been her salvation or her destruction?

The answers lie trapped within her mind. To access them, she'll need the help of the teen computer hacker who's trying to bring the hospital down for his own reasons, and a pill that's blocked by an army of mercenary soldiers poised to eliminate her for good. If only she knew why . . .

Goodreads Summary


Sarah is not the type of girl to take her medicine laying down.  She is a fighter and the reader will appreciate her fire and wit.  She is an easy character to sympathize with; when the reader meets her she barely comes out of a procedure designed to eliminate her memory.  Both the reader and Sarah must figure out why Sarah is so "terrifying" that her memory needs to be eliminated and why she ended up in a hospital.

I can't imagine having my past deleted (though I wouldn't mind some portions!).  I really enjoyed how the author angled the plot of this book and I enjoyed the focus on memory.  This book made me wonder if there ever would be a procedure that could wipe a specific memory or set of memories.  I really enjoyed the fast-paced ending.  This book is recommended to young adult/teens.

4 Stars

GIVEAWAY:  Please leave a comment with your name and email (USA) for a chance to win a copy of this book!


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Fierce by LG Kelso: Blog Tour and Guest Post!


fiercebanner

FIERCE Cover Fierce by L.G. Kelso
Tori’s MMA career was taking off, until she beat the wrong man. Her training partner, nursing a bruised ego, snapped—shattering her trust and confidence.Three years later, Tori’s keeping her fists to herself as she struggles to put herself through college. But when a group of gangbangers hassle her at work, old habits kick in and her fists fly. Max Estrada, a frequent diner customer, steps in and gets them out of hot water, but Tori is still fired… days before tuition is due.
With no other option, she’s forced to take a desk job at her old pounding grounds, where her demons still haunt the cage and the temptation to go glove-to-glove with familiar pro-fighter, Max Estrada, is too much. The sexy Colombian draws her back into the world of MMA and revives her dreams of becoming a professional face-puncher—until Will, her old partner and current Middleweight Champion, struts back into the gym. The secret they share is an unexpected liability to his career, and he’s determined to keep her silent.
With her life on the ropes, Tori will have to face the past for a shot at winning back her future, or carry the weight of a loss even greater than before.
Add to your GoodReads.
Amazon 

*****
About the Author:
L.G. Kelso is a fantasy and contemporary novelist. Having grown up watching Xena and Hercules with her grandmother, she inherited her passion for all things magic, paranormal and mythological. She also has a probably unhealthy obsession with martial arts, and as a boxer she strives to give readers an authentic view of MMA in her contemporary sports novel.

Giveaway:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm happy to be hosting for CBB book promotions!  Please leave a comment about this post!

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Divinity by Michelle L. Johnson: Review and Guest Post!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

When Julia climbs into a flaming car to save a trapped child, she's left wondering why either of them survived. Then she learns that her father is the Archangel Gabriel, and that she is half human, half Archangel. With guidance from Michael, the most powerful Archangel, Julia sets out to discover her own history and explore her angelic powers. But her journey is cut short when an evil force, invisible to human and angel alike, tears her world apart. Now Julia must fight through her despair, harness her newfound gifts, and risk her very soul to stop the A'nwel and protect the family she never knew she had. What she doesn't know is that Archangels have secrets too."

Goodreads  Summary

Author Interview


Who was my favorite character and why?
That’s easy. Michael. No question.
He’s just so darned funny. His character always came out with lines that shock the laughter out of me as I wrote Divinity. I thought Julia would be the funny one, but he totally stole her thunder.
He’s was also a pain in the butt as I wrote, because he demanded attention, and always when I was busy writing a different scene that he wasn’t part of. I’d start to hear snippets of conversations he’s having in other scenes, and then I’d have to open another document to see what’s going on. It was ALWAYS dialog – he is a talker -- and it was ALWAYS funny. He laughs a lot – not in that I-laugh-at-my-own-jokes kind of a way, but in a pretty-much-everything-is-ironic-and-sometimes-we-should-just-laugh-about-it kind of a way. It’s just who he is. And he’s got an opinion about everything. I guess with the weight of pretty much everything on his shoulders, what else can he do? He’s like the anti-Eeyore.
I actually had to cut a lot of his laughter out during the editing and revision process. He was getting a little overbearing and repetitious.
Though his laughter is infectious, I like Michael because he’s an extraordinarily complex character. He plays such a crucial role in Julia’s life, and the challenging relationships he has with the Archangels, helped bring the book to life.
He’s got ultimate power, but rather than just using that he resorts to manipulation using chunks of the truth with enough missing to let the listener hear what they want to hear. He has this immense love and compassion, but makes decisions contrary to that in order to maintain the balance in humanity – at least as he perceives it must be. That doesn’t always endear him to the other Archangels, of course.
He has complicated plans and aspirations, yet there are times he just says “Screw this!” and jumps in and does something contrary to all of those plans because he thinks it’s just the right thing to do. Of course, Julia and the other Archangels sometimes have to pick up the earthly pieces – but that’s all part of the tension and dynamic that makes the characters more fun.
And through it all, we don’t know if his motives are selfish or vindictive, or if he’s ruled by his heart. Only time will tell. Or, you know, the sequel…


Review

This paranormal thrill of a story follows Julia in her discovery of herself and what she is capable of as a half archangel half human. She is originally unaware of her divine powers but discovers that she can accomplish great things when she pulls a child from a burning car and comes out of the situation unscathed. This sets her on an intense quest to find her true origins and leads her through a lot of tough situations that truly test her as a person. 

I love stories like this where epic biblical stories are combined with a modern times twist to create a story that is relatable yet still exciting and intriguing at the same time. The characters have their own edge and follow historical angel names and are loosely based on the authors depiction of the archangels stories. Following Julia's story of self discovery is awesome and this book will definitely appeal to those action and paranormal loving bookworms. The author also does a great job with imagery and setting the scene and as you read you will truly feel like you are there following along and fighting with the archangels yourself. This is definitely worth reading and passing along to any paranormal interested readers you know.

*4 Stars*



Reviewed by Chris  

GUEST POST: 

Who was my favorite character and why?

That’s easy. Michael. No question.
He’s just so darned funny. His character always came out with lines that shock the laughter out of me as I wrote Divinity. I thought Julia would be the funny one, but he totally stole her thunder.
He’s was also a pain in the butt as I wrote, because he demanded attention, and always when I was busy writing a different scene that he wasn’t part of. I’d start to hear snippets of conversations he’s having in other scenes, and then I’d have to open another document to see what’s going on. It was ALWAYS dialog – he is a talker -- and it was ALWAYS funny. He laughs a lot – not in that I-laugh-at-my-own-jokes kind of a way, but in a pretty-much-everything-is-ironic-and-sometimes-we-should-just-laugh-about-it kind of a way. It’s just who he is. And he’s got an opinion about everything. I guess with the weight of pretty much everything on his shoulders, what else can he do? He’s like the anti-Eeyore.
I actually had to cut a lot of his laughter out during the editing and revision process. He was getting a little overbearing and repetitious.
Though his laughter is infectious, I like Michael because he’s an extraordinarily complex character. He plays such a crucial role in Julia’s life, and the challenging relationships he has with the Archangels, helped bring the book to life.
He’s got ultimate power, but rather than just using that he resorts to manipulation using chunks of the truth with enough missing to let the listener hear what they want to hear. He has this immense love and compassion, but makes decisions contrary to that in order to maintain the balance in humanity – at least as he perceives it must be. That doesn’t always endear him to the other Archangels, of course.
He has complicated plans and aspirations, yet there are times he just says “Screw this!” and jumps in and does something contrary to all of those plans because he thinks it’s just the right thing to do. Of course, Julia and the other Archangels sometimes have to pick up the earthly pieces – but that’s all part of the tension and dynamic that makes the characters more fun.

And through it all, we don’t know if his motives are selfish or vindictive, or if he’s ruled by his heart. Only time will tell. Or, you know, the sequel…

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Rain Reign by Ann M Martin

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

In her most powerful novel yet, Newbery Honor author Ann M. Martin tells the story of girl with mental/emotional challenges and the dog she loves.

Rose Howard has OCD, Asperger’s syndrome, and an obsession with homonyms (even her name is a homonym). She gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose’s rules of homonyms, is very special. Rain was a lost dog Rose’s father brought home. Rose and Rain are practically inseparable. And they are often home alone, as Rose’s father spends most evenings at a bar, and doesn’t have much patience for his special-needs daughter.
Just as a storm hits town, Rain goes missing. Rose’s father shouldn’t have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search. Rose will find Rain, but so will Rain’s original owners.

Hearts will break and spirits will soar for this powerful story, brilliantly told from Rose’s point of view.

Goodreads Summary

I really loved this heart-warming story.  I thought the novel was beautifully written and touched on an interesting subject-OCD and Asperger's Syndrome.  The way Rose acted in the book corresponded to what I know (personally) about OCD and I learned a lot about Asperger's Sydrome.  I liked how she had to try to rise above her problems to track down her beloved dog; I am a neuroscience major and I know how difficult that task would be for someone in Rose's position.

It was easy to love Rain and Rose.  I grew very attached to them.  I liked Rose's relationship to her uncle and how it reminded me of my mom and me.  I was rooting for Rose to find Reign the entire novel and enjoyed what Rose had to accomplish in order to find her dog.  Overall, this book is recommended to middle grade readers.

4 Stars

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Stay With Me: Giveaway and Promo!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014


 Excerpt:
As I lay there, trying to swallow a loud, obnoxious yawn, I remembered something he’d said when we first met, about life being too short. I imagined he had firsthand experience with shortened lives while he was serving. That mentality came from experience. I got that now. Could even understand it, but there was something I didn’t understand. “Why?” I asked. There was a beat. “Why what?” Jax sounded tired, and I should shut up or point out that I was now tired and could sleep, so he could leave. But I didn’t. “Why are you here? You don’t know me and . . .” I trailed off, because there really wasn’t anything left to say. A minute went by, and he hadn’t answered my question, and then I think another minute ticked on, and I was okay with him not answering because maybe he didn’t even know. Or maybe he was just bored and that was why he was here. But then he moved. Jax pressed against my back, and the next breath I took got stuck in my throat. My eyes shot open. The sheet and blanket were between us, but they felt like nothing. “What are you doing?” I asked. “Getting comfortable.” He dropped an arm over my waist, and my entire body jerked against his. “It’s time to sleep I think.” “But—” “You can’t sleep when you talk,” he remarked. “You don’t need to be all up on me,” I pointed out. His answering chuckle stirred the hair along the back of my neck. “Honey, I’m not all up on you.” I freaking begged to differ on that point. I started to wiggle away, but the arm around my waist tightened, holding me in place. “You’re not going anywhere,” he announced casually, as if he wasn’t holding me prisoner in the bed. Okay. The whole prisoner thing might be melodramatic, but he wasn’t letting me up. Not when he was getting all kinds of comfy behind me. Oh my God, this was spooning. Total spooning. I was spooning with an honorary member of the Hot Guy Brigade. Did I wake up in a parallel universe? “Sleep,” he demanded, as if the one word carried that much power. “Go to sleep, Calla.” This time his voice was softer, quieter. “Yeah, it doesn’t work that way, Jax. You have a nice voice, but it doesn’t hold the power to make me sleep on your command.” He chuckled. I rolled my eyes, but the most ridiculous thing ever was the fact that after a couple of minutes, my eyes stayed shut. I . . . I actually settled in against him. With his front pressed to my back, his long legs cradling mine, and his arm snug around my waist, I actually did feel safe. More than that, I felt something else—something I hadn’t felt in years. I felt cared for . . . cherished. Which was the epitome of dumb, because I barely knew him, but feeling that, recognizing what the warm, buzzing feeling was, I fell right asleep.


 Giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway

STAY WITH ME Synopsis: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wait for You and Be with Me comes a daring tale that pushes boundaries . . . At 21, Calla hasn't done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends. But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she’d left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming. Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn't give them her mom.

 Jennifer L. Armentrout/J.Lynn Bio:
 # 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.  Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads Novel Goodreads This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Banned Books Week!

banned book week 2014

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Horrorstor: Book Trailer!



This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Hope After Suicide by Wendy Parmley

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

After her mother took her own life, Wendy Parmley learned firsthand the heartache, despair, and loneliness that accompanies suicide loss. Reinvent your definition of saved, perfect, and forgiveness as you read this true narrative of a woman opening her heart years after her mother's suicide and learn how to overcome any loss in your own life.

Goodreads Summary

Those that have had a major loss and never dealt with it properly will find a true home in this book. Wendy's mother's death took a major tole on her life when it happened, and as she revisits all of her feelings it becomes apparent that she still has some healing to do. We can all learn a lesson from this journey through the soul of Wendy as she explores her thoughts.

As she describes her pain, and the extra responsibilities that she had to take on after her mother's death, you really get a feel for what Wendy went through. Her realistic and open presentation of what happened was refreshing yet sad at some points, but never was so depressing that you didn't want to continue reading. Those close to their faith will have a deep appreciation for this story as Wendy relies heavily on her faith to get her through her struggles. All in all, it is a story of courage that many readers will enjoy as they read through the trauma that Wendy faced.

3.5 Stars

Bio:


Wendy Parmley suffered a disabling bike accident in September 2011.  Unable to return to her 20 year nursing career because of the continued effects of her injuries, Wendy began the slow and painful penning of her angel mother’s story and Wendy’s healing journey following her mom’s suicide death.  Wendy’s mom took her own life when just 31 years old, leaving behind her husband of thirteen years and their five young children.
Wendy has long advocated for suicide prevention and has participated on various professional and community based groups dedicated to that end.  She also recognizes the need to unashamedly support those who must continue to live in the painful aftermath of a loved one’s suicide and passionately lends her voice to that cause.
Prior to her bike accident, Wendy worked in nursing leadership for 14 years, earning her MBA degree from Brigham Young University in 2007.  Despite her continued limitations, Wendy is grateful to spend more time with the love of her life, her husband Mark.  She is ever grateful for his support and the support of their three married sons and their wives, their amazing daughter, and their beautiful two grandchildren who fill their life with sunshine.
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*Reviewed by Chris* 

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Bible Bands by Katreina Eden

Saturday, September 13, 2014


Rubber band jewelry is the hottest new craze, and now you can try these new designs! Show your faith and inspire others with the uplifting jewelry found in Bible Bands.

Item Description

Looking for a new arts and crafts book?  The book contains descriptive pictures and tons of designs from which to choose from.  There are little statements on each piece of jewelry and very well-detailed instructions.  You do need to get a few items to make these jewelry pieces.  There is a simple pattern and extension that the reader can follow that should be easy enough for middle grade children.  

I really enjoyed the different designs and pretty pictures associated with them.  There is a table of contents with a picture that allows you to quickly choose which design you would like to try.  The designs appear to take as little as 30 minutes to complete.  I liked the creativity of the titles and how the author took care to include biblical verses and titles.  Overall, this book is perfect for young children and their parents.

4 Stars

Check this book out on Amazon!

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Compulsion by Martina Boone

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse.

All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lives with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead—a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions.

Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who knows what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family's twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn't what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead.

Goodreads Summary

I wish I had Barrie's ability. I lose too many things, it would be nice to find them! Barrie's mother was a bit of a recluse. When she passed away, Barrie thought her life would be immediately different. When she ent to live with her aunt she found that her life would not be carefree. There are three families and three feuds. The reader will get to know each of the families and how they figure into the plot. The magical realism made me enjoy the book even more. As Barrie slowly unwinds the past and the mystery, she grows closer to Eight.   

Eight was an adorable character (and yes, his father is Seven). He clearly loves Barrie from the beginning. She makes things a little bit difficult by arguing and being slightly ridiculous, at times, but he doesn't get very frustrated (patience of a saint). I loved their love story almost more than the mystery behind the animosity. It's rare to find such a true, adorable romance. Overall, this is a wonderful series and I will definitely be looking for the next book.

5 Stars

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

The Red Sheet Blog Tour

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

One October morning, high school junior Bryan Dennison wakes up a different person helpful, generous, and chivalrous a person whose new admirable qualities he doesn't recognize. Stranger still is the urge to tie a red sheet around his neck like a cape.

Bryan soon realizes this compulsion to wear a red cape is accompanied by more unusual behavior. He can't hold back from retrieving kittens from tall trees, helping little old ladies cross busy streets, and defending innocence anywhere he finds it.

Shockingly, at school, he realizes he used to be a bully. He's attracted to the former victim of his bullying, Scott Beckett, though he has no memory of Scott from before the change. Where he'd been lazy in academics, overly aggressive in sports, and socially insecure, he's a new person. And although he can recall behaving egotistically, he cannot remember his motivations.

Everyone, from his mother to his teachers to his superjock former pals, is shocked by his dramatic transformation. However, Scott Beckett is not impressed by Bryan's newfound virtue. And convincing Scott he's genuinely changed and improved, hopefully gaining Scott's trust and maybe even his love, becomes Bryan's obsession.

Goodreads Summary

What would you do if you suddenly transformed into a superhero?  Bryan is faced with just that decision and the book takes us on a ride as he adjusts to his new life.  Bryan wasn't always the nicest person prior to becoming a superhero...he knows he has to make things right with Scott, someone he bullied.  Scott isn't automatically accepting of the new Bryan and who could blame him?  The book details Bryan's change into a good person, but it is hard to reconcile a good person with a bully even after one has changed.

I did like Bryan's character despite the bullying aspect in the past.  I don't think we would have been friends if he was a real life character, but he was ok.  I felt bad for Scott and thought he handled the situation as well as anyone would have.  I really liked the acts that Bryan did to make up for any unkindness he had done in the past.  The author did a wonderful job of setting the scene and keeping the book moving at a rapid pace.  This book is recommended for young adult/teen readers.

4 Stars



Author Bio:

Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—all named after saints—and five nonpedigreed cats—all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.

Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young men and their relationships, and she believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.

Mia is proud of her involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.

My themes I always write about:
Sweetness. Unconventional love, tortured/damaged heroes- only love can save them

Links:

Mia Kerick's Web Site:
http://miakerick.com/
Mia Kerick's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mia.kerick
Mia Kerick's Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6474518.Mia_Kerick?from_search=true

Mia Kerick's YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a1Q093gJ1E

Mia Kerick's Blog:
http://miakerick.com/blog/

The Red Sheet Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20619717-the-red-sheet





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https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

The Red Sheet blog tour site:
http://theredsheetblogtour.blogspot.com/


https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theredsheet-1404989-149.html



This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

My Year of Epic Rock: Q&A

Sunday, September 7, 2014


1) If you could be any character in your book who would it be?
I’d love to be like Tiernan. He’s friendly, confident in himself, has a good sense of humor, and doesn’t let other people get in the way of his having a good time or making the most out of any situation he’s in. And he’s not afraid to stand up for himself or others. Plus, he has a healthy sense of self and doesn’t get all embarrassed easily the way I do (or the way my main character Nina does).

 2) Who was your favorite character in the book?
Shane—it cracks me up that he thinks he’s an expert about the music industry, even though he’s only in 7th grade.

 3) Which character would be your best friend and why?
I do love my main character, Nina.  I like that she isn’t about drama and just wants people to get along. And I share some of her less appealing characteristics – having a hard time speaking up, getting embarrassed easily—so I could sympathize with her when we hung out.  

 4) How did you get the idea for the book?
It’s actually because of my daughter, who was born with quite a few serious food allergies. I read so much about allergies when we first got the diagnosis so I’d know how to care for her. One thing I read was that tweens and teens take risks with their food allergies—they just want to have fun with their friends and not worry about reading labels or asking about ingredients. Though at the time my daughter was still little, it made me wonder how she and kids like her would deal with their allergies when they got in to middle school. What’s interesting, though, is that when I started writing My Year of Epic Rock, it became so much more about issues that all kids have to deal with: friendship ups and downs, figuring out who you are and how to stand up for yourself, teaching your parents that you want more independence, plus, of course, having crushes and wondering if your crush likes you likes you, or just likes you regular likes you. 

 5) What is your favorite scene?
Oh, tough one! But I think when Nina and her new friends hang out together after school and decide to form their band. I like that it was so hard for them to play together at first, or even figure out how to pick what music to play. Being in a band is hard work! Nina, Tiernan, Shane, Madison and Heidi are cool, funny, smart kids to be around, so the scenes with them together are my favorites.

6) Are you working on anything else we can be excited for?
I’ve just started my next middle grade book which is about a girl whose mother gets breast cancer. My mom got sick with cancer when I was 11, and I still remember how scared and lonely and confused I felt, so it’s a topic I’m interested in exploring.




This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Beyond The Pale: Excerpt!

Friday, September 5, 2014
Once there was a village on an island that belonged to the Shark God. Every man in the village was a fisherman, and the women cooked their catch and mended their nets and sails, and painted their little boats. And because that island was sacred to him, the Shark God saw to it that there were always fish to be caught, and seals as well, in the waters beyond the coral reef, and protected the village from the great gray typhoons that came every year to flood other lagoons and blow down the trees and the huts of other islands. Therefore the children of the village grew fat and strong, and the women were beautiful and strong, and the fishermen were strong and high-hearted even when they were old.
In return for his benevolence the Shark God asked little from his people: only tribute of a single goat at the turn of each year. To the accompaniment of music and prayers, and with a wreath of plaited fresh flowers around its neck, it would be tethered in the lagoon at moonrise. Morning would find it gone, flower petals floating on the water, and the Shark God never seen—never in that form, anyway.

Now the Shark God could alter his shape as he pleased, like any god, but he never showed himself on land more than once in a generation. When he did, he was most often known to appear as a handsome young man, light-footed and charming. Only one woman ever recognized the divinity hiding behind the human mask. Her name was Mirali, and this tale is what is known about her, and about her children.
Mirali’s parents were already aging when she was born, and had long since given up the hope of ever having a child—indeed, her name meant “the long-desired one.” Her father had been crippled when the mast of his boat snapped during a storm and crushed his leg, falling on him, and if it had not been for their daughter, the old couple’s lives would have been hard indeed. Mirali could not go out with the fishing fleet herself, of course—as she greatly wished to do, having loved the sea from her earliest memory—but she did every kind of work for any number of island families, whether cleaning houses, marketing, minding young children, or even assisting the midwife when a birthing was difficult or there were simply too many babies coming at the same time. She was equally known as a seamstress, and also as a cook for special feasts; nor was there anyone who could mend a pandanus-leaf thatching as quickly as she, though this is generally man’s work. No drop of rain ever penetrated any pandanus roof that came under Mirali’s hands.

Nor did she complain of her labors, for she was very proud of being able to care for her mother and father as a son would have done. Because of this, she was much admired and respected in the village, and young men came courting just as though she were a great beauty. Which she was not, being small and somewhat square-made, with straight brows—considered unlucky by most—and hips that gave no promise of a large family. But she had kind eyes, deep-set under those regrettable brows, and hair as black and thick as that of any woman on the island. Many, indeed, envied her; but of that Mirali knew nothing. She had no time for envy herself, nor for young men, either.

Now it happened that Mirali was often chosen by the village priest to sweep out the temple of the Shark God. This was not only a grand honor for a child barely turned seventeen but a serious responsibility as well, for sharks are cleanly in their habits, and to leave his spiritual dwelling disorderly would surely be to dishonor and anger the god himself. So Mirali was particularly attentive when she cleaned after the worshippers, making certain that no prayer whistle or burned stick of incense was left behind. And in this manner did the Shark God become aware of Mirali.



 http://www.birchtreepub.com/



This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

BOUND TO BE UP ALL NIGHT WITH THROW BACK THURSDAY’S BOUND BY NIGHT!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Book I of The MoonBound Clan Vampire series


Bound by Night was a fantastic start to this very promising new series…
a very tasty treat from a must be read author.  Happy reading everybody…you’re bound to love it.
Night Owl Reviews for Bound by Night

“The exceptionally entertaining Ione kicks off a sexy new vampire series…
Ione does what she does best: deliver paranormal romance with a sexy and dangerous bite!
RT Book Reviews ****HOT Review for Bound by Night

PREORDER CHAINED BY NIGHT
AND SAVOR YOUR TASTY TREAT ON 9/30!
Book II of The MoonBound Clan Vampires series


“Ione’s second MoonBound Vampires paranormal deftly uses a mixture of complex rivalries, primal violence, and sex to portray a society in which frequent vampire enslavement provokes a civil-rights dispute…Ione’s characters are relatable and sympathetic both because of and despite their id-drenched setting, and Ione’s flavor of vampirism produces a fascinating mixture of authoritarianism, atavism, and compassionate humanity that works on multiple levels.”
Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW August 25th

“Ione has created a fascinating vampire world steeped in Native American traditions and lore and developed a path to happiness for Hunter and Aylin that is fraught with potent and poignant internal and external conflicts. The action-packed plot and creative worldbuilding keep us enthralled; the romance and sexual tension keep us emotionally invested.”
Kirkus Reviews August 28th online, Sept. 15th print

“Major talent Ione is back with the second installment in her gritty new MoonBound Clan Vampire series, where vampires live under the threat of enslavement and torture by humans.  Ione’s vampire world is made up of sometimes warring clans who fight against each other as well as humans.  Uniting the clans may be the vampires’ best hope for survival in the upcoming war with humans.  With so much at stake,these excellent character relationships are fraught with intense and conflicting emotions.  Hang on tight, as this is one exciting and dangerous world!”
—Romantic Times ****1/2 HOT


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Astray by Amy Christine Parker: Q&A and Review!


Lyla is caught between two worlds. The isolated Community that she grew up in and the outside world that she’s navigating for the very first time. The outsiders call the Community a cult, but Pioneer miraculously survived a shooting that should have killed him. Are the faithful members right to stay true to his message? Is this just a test of faith? One thing is for sure: the Community will do anything to bring Lyla back to the fold. Trapped in a spider’s web of deception, will Lyla detect the sticky threads tightening around her before it’s too late? She’ll have to unravel the mystery of what Pioneer and the Community are truly up to if she wants to survive.
 
Suspenseful and chilling, Astray is Amy Christine Parker’s nerve-fraying sequel to Gated. This fast-paced psychological thriller is masterfully plotted and sure to leave goose bumps. Perfect for fans of creepy YA thrillers and contemporary fiction alike.

Goodreads Summary

This is a perfect read for a rainy day.  The author begins the novel introducing Lyla and telling the reader a little bit about what happened to her prior to this book (in Gated).  Lyla is living with the sheriff's family while transitioning to life on the outside of the compound.  I felt bad for Lyla because she had to try to get used to a new world while her old Community and Pioneer are not letting her simply leave.  I can't imagine how hard it must be to leave a cult and rid yourself of any of their mentality.  

The book contains plot twists and cover-ups. I really liked the tone of the novel; it was riveting.  The author maintains a slightly eerie sense throughout the book.  Lyla was a strong character.  I liked how she is intelligent and brave.  I felt like I knew her pretty well and hated how she was, at times, overwhelmed and sad over the Community.  I was slightly surprised, but happy at the ending.  This book is great for young adult readers.

4 Stars 


1) How did you come up with the plot and setting?
The plot was a real challenge. When I wrote GATED I knew I wanted to continue Lyla’s story, but actually sitting down to write it proved very, very hard. Pioneer couldn’t directly control things, all of his influence had to be indirect. It was daunting to try and figure out how to make him very threatening and constantly looming in Lyla’s life without him actually being physically present in it most of the time. I was also very concerned with making sure the second book was a strong story in its own right so that even if someone picked it up without having read GATED, they would still be affected strongly by Lyla’s struggles. For plot inspiration, I did more cult research, focusing pretty heavily this time on Charles Manson and his followers. Anyone who has every researched his trial will see definite similarities in Lyla’s story to the events surrounding it. The setting was easy by comparison. In GATED Lyla has just left the Community, so the natural progression for her is to now spend some time in the closest town while she acclimates to life outside the gates. I didn’t pick a real town, but rather created my own. Coming up with some of the scene locations proved to be one of the most fun parts of writing this book.
2) Did you have a say in the cover (it's beautiful!!!)?
It is gorgeous, isn’t it? I really, really love the colors and the mood of it perfectly reflects the plot. I feel as if I’ve won the cover lottery! Random House Children’s is really wonderful about including me in their design process when it comes to all of my covers by giving me the opportunity to express my thoughts about their ideas. My opinion is one of many that is considered which is how I like it. I have no design or marketing experience and so I want to have people who do actively guiding the process. This way I can let go of that bit and concentrate on writing.
3) Why did you choose to write from the point of view you did?
Both GATED and ASTRAY had to be written from Lyla’s point of view. They had to be first person present because I wanted the reader to go on the journey in an intimate way with Lyla, be in her head, seeing her world through her eyes. It wasn’t a decision at all, really. Both books’ first lines came out in her voice and that never changed.
4) What is your favorite trait in the main character and why?
I love her strength, mainly because it’s a quiet sort of strength. She isn’t out punching people every few minutes, but she also doesn’t compromise what she feels is true and is remarkably brave when it comes to defending those she cares about. I hope that this makes her feel very relatable to readers.
5) What was your favorite scene to write?
I very much enjoyed writing the hospital scene at the very beginning of the book between Pioneer and Lyla. I could see it very clearly in my head and it was one  of those scenes that came easily which is a rarity for me. In general scenes that have creepy moments are the easiest for me to write.
6) Do we have other books to look forward to from you?
Yes! I’m happy to announce that I am currently working on Smash and Grab, a stand alone novel for Random House Children’s about a teenage girl who is planning a bank heist and is caught of guard when she begins to fall for a rival thief. I like to think of it as The Bling Ring meets Out of Sight and The Town. It will come out sometime in the spring of 2016.


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ