Waiting on Wednesday (51) Stray by Elissa Sussman

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on: 

Stray by Elissa Sussman

Epic and provocative, STRAY is an original fairy tale in which magic is a curse that only women bear and society is dictated by a strict religious doctrine called The Path.

Princess Aislynn knows all about the curse. Its magic is a part of her, like her awkward nose and thin fingers. It’s also something she can’t control. And girls who can’t control their abilities have a tendency to disappear. So for her own protection, Aislynn is sworn into the Order of Fairy Godmothers where she must spend the rest of her life chaste and devoted to serving another royal family.

Tasked with tending to the sweet, but sheltered Princess Linnea, Aislynn also finds a reluctant friend in the palace gardener, Thackery, who makes no secret of his disdain for her former life. The more time they spend together, though, the more she begins to doubt the rules she has observed so obediently. As Aislynn’s feelings threaten to undo the sacred vows she has taken, she risks not only her own life but Linnea’s as well. With the princess engaged to a devoted follower of The Path, there are some who would do anything to keep Aislynn from straying. (Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: October 7, 2014

What are you waiting on?

{Release Event} Hold Me Tight {Take Me Now #3) by Faith Sullivan

Title: Hold Me Tight
Author: Faith Sullivan
Release date: April 30, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Ebook available at: Kindle | Nook | Smashwords 





HOLD ME TIGHT Synopsis:

He loves me. He loves me not.

Ivy's heart shatters upon hearing Eric's crushing ultimatum. Despite how much she cares for him, she won't give in to his demands. She has no choice but to leave, even if it's the hardest thing she's ever had to do.

She loves me. She loves me not.

When Ivy walks out, Eric can't help feeling betrayed. Unwilling to put her at risk, he values her safety above all else. By refusing to compromise, he's blindsided when she moves in with a man who's already stolen so much from him.

I love you. You love me not.

Lauren sees Eric and Ivy's split as an opportunity to end their relationship once and for all. When Ivy places herself at the mercy of Eric's rival, Lauren plots to destroy the fragile tie binding them together, even if she endangers Ivy's life in the process.


Excerpt:

But there’s something I have to do before this goes any further.

Slowly, I draw my head away from her embrace, finding the courage to finally meet her eyes. Her hair hasn’t been combed and her face is all tear-stained, but she has never looked more beautiful.

She stands, bracing herself against me. Her breath hitches when I gently start unbuttoning her shirt, but her eyes never leave my face. I stop partway up, raising the bottom half of her cami up and over her baby bump. Dropping down, I run my hands across her stomach, feeling her shiver against my fingertips. Looking up at her, I place my lips on her bellybutton, kissing the child that’s growing within her, the miracle we created.

“I will never ask you to choose again,” I say solemnly, my voice nothing but a whisper.

Ivy starts to cry in earnest, placing her hands atop mine.

“You are my heart now. Whatever happens to you happens to me.” I kiss each one of her knuckles as she sighs deeply, like she’s been longing with all her soul to hear me say these words. “I know I’m not as brave as you are, but I promise to try harder.”

“Eric, stop. You’re the bravest man I know,” she proclaims with a tender fierceness, tears shining in her eyes.

“I’m just so afraid of losing you,” I mutter, breaking down.

“Oh, Eric,” she whimpers, sobbing right along with me. “I know, baby... I know.”

I lean back against the wall, guiding her onto my lap. We don’t say anything more. We just sit there and hold each other, savoring the moment.

What readers are saying about HOLD ME TIGHT:

"I'm so excited! Eric's balls grew back! He's going to fight for her. I envisioned the whole scene in my mind. True romance at its finest." 

- Rhonda Hofmiller

"You are such a tease! What a way to leave me hanging there, after that scene at the kitchen table. DAMN. Hose me down with cold water please!" 

-Natalie Smith

"Hallelujah and praise the Lord, Eric is FINALLY going after what's his! *sigh* What a lovely welcome home present indeed!"

- Ashley Bodette

Books in this New Adult Contemporary Romance trilogy:

About the Author:

Faith Sullivan is an author of New Adult contemporary romances including the HEARTBEAT trilogy, the TAKE ME NOW series and the 9/11 novel, UNEXPECTED. She writes love stories with a little dash of crazy.

Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Tuesday (51) Picture Perfect + Avalon + Torn Away

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

"You light up from the inside, Skye. I told you before...you have this innate sparkle about you that makes others feel better in your presence. Never, ever let anyone take that away from you again."

location 2137, Picture Perfect by Elisabeth Grace

"...also known as Specter Sea."
"Of course it is," said Flynn, his voice higher-pitched than usual. "Because that's exactly what you want to name a place everybody is afraid of. I mean, why couldn't they have called it the Sea of Puppies or maybe the Sea of Fluffy Kittens?"

page 89, Avalon by Mindee Arnett

"We practiced, practiced, practiced.
But we'd never - not once - discussed what to do after"

location 257, Torn Away by Jennifer Brown

{YA Review} The Hunt (Project Paper Doll #2) by Stacey Kade

{YA Review} The Hunt (Project Paper Doll #2) by Stacey Kade

Ariane Tucker has finally escaped GTX, the research facility that created her. While on the run, Zane Bradshaw is the only person she can trust. He knows who-and what-she is and still wants to be part of her life.

But accepting Zane's help means putting him in danger.

Dr. Jacobs, head of GTX, is not the only one hunting for Ariane. Two rival corporations have their sights set on taking down their competition. Permanently. To protect Zane and herself, Ariane needs allies. She needs the other hybrids. The hybrids who are way more alien and a lot less human. Can Ariane win them over before they turn on her? Or will she be forced to choose sides, to decide who lives and who dies? (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook, 400 pages. Published April 22nd 2014 by Disney-Hyperion. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Stacey Kade and Disney-Hyperion.

{Rating} 5/5 - I loved it!

{Review}

"Until I crawled beneath the designated dumpster behind the abandoned Linens-N-Things and felt the brush of rough canvas against my fingertips, I really wasn't sure that the emergency bag would be there, as my father had promised." (page 1, line 1)

The Hunt is such a fabulous follow up to The Rules, my review is here. Go and read The Rules - you'll love it - and then come back. Back? Okay, The Hunt is full of action, heartache, surprises, close calls, more pieces of the Ariane puzzle, and the introduction of some new characters that change the rules yet again.

I was quickly re-immersed in the world with only a quick reminder from Kade of how Ariane and Zane got to the dumpster, of the challenges they face and the cost of failure.

Strong, resilient, Ariane is still at war with her two sides, with logic and emotion, with want and need. And she's at war with her feelings for Zane. She wants Zane but she wants to keep him safe. Her romance with Zane is full of challenges, there is a literal 'women are from mars (or wherever it is she's from. Will we ever learn?)' gulf between them and it's both lovely and heartbreaking.

Zane... I adore the guy. Throughout the book I wanted to hug him, kick him, kiss him, console him, berate him, and slap him upside the head. Despite his faults, his mistakes, he has such a good heart. All he wants is to do the right thing, to protect Ariane but he struggles with what Ariane is, with what he wants, with his own demons, with dashed hopes. And really... can anything else happen to this poor guy?

That ending? Nooooooooooo! I have to wait another year to find out what happens next?

{Book Blast + Giveaway} Knight of My Dreams by Lynsay Sands

 

Title:  Knight of My Dreams

Author:   Lynsay Sands Genre:  Romance / Historical / Medieval Publish Date:  April 29, 2014 Publisher:  HarperCollins

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

~ Book Synopsis ~

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lynsay Sands comes a classic short story of a knight in need of a bride…

Lady Alice knows she is not the type to entice a man. She’s too voluptuous, too intelligent, too strong-minded. Why, she even reads! But then Jonathan, Earl of Fairley, arrives at court. Tall, dark and handsome, the knight is any woman’s dream. And he has just been ordered by the king to find a bride…and Alice is to help him!
Jonathan has been evading his mother’s matchmaking schemes for years, so why does she insist that Lady Alice isn’t for him? Alice is only to aid in his search for a bride, yet Jonathan can’t help but be distracted by her glorious hair the color of a sunset, and her figure that is like a lush berry about to burst to full ripeness... Has Jonathan fallen prey to love?

Add to Goodreads:

Excerpt

"Are you all right?"

Alice glanced up in surprise at the concern in Lord Jonathan's voice. He wasn't looking at her; his gaze was traveling down her body in the wake of his hands as he checked her over to be sure she wasn't injured. She flushed at the familiar way his fingers skimmed over her, and took a quick step back, nearly tumbling again.

"I am fi-fine," she got out a little breathlessly as he caught her arms to steady her. "Really," Alice added when he continued to look concerned. After a brief pause, he swallowed and nodded, then turned to grab at the reins of his mount.

Her gaze moved distractedly back to the small swatch of blue cloth on the ground by her feet. She was about to draw Jonathan's attention to it, when she was suddenly caught by the waist and lifted onto his horse.

Alice promptly began to protest. "Oh, really, my lord. There is no need for us to ride. I can walk back to the clearing. I—"

At last she gave up her protests, mostly because he was ignoring her. He mounted in front of her and drew her hands around his waist.

"Hold on," he instructed.

Alice nodded against his back, breathing in deeply to try to steady her nerves. It was rather novel to be in such close proximity to a man. She had never done so before. Unmarried women were simply not allowed such familiarity. Of course, this was an unusual circumstance, and…

Her thoughts died as she breathed in the scent of him. He smelled of the woods and the river and…male. It was a surprisingly pleasant mix, she decided, breathing it in again as her fingers interlocked at his middle. Feeling the muscles of his stomach bunch and ripple, she flattened her fingers over them to get the full sensation, then, realizing what she was doing, stopped breathing in embarrassment. Her fingers stilled.

Of course, Alice couldn't go long holding her breath. She managed to do so for the short ride back to the clearing, but there the breath left her in a slow hiss. The place was empty. Lady Fairley and her uncle had not waited for them; they had apparently ridden on ahead. Alice recalled the small swatch of cloth she had spotted near the horses and pondered silently, wondering why Lady Fairley had been by the horses. Surely she hadn't untied Alice's mount and let it go? Had she really been so annoyed with Alice as to wish to have her walk back to the castle?

"Well, we shall have to ride quickly to catch up," Lord Jonathan said.

Alice glanced at the back of his head, then pressed close and held on tightly as he spurred his mount into a trot. She didn't hold her breath this time. Instead she sat, her breasts pressed against his back, her hands clutched at his front, breathing in deeply of his scent. She was enjoying it so much, it took her most of the ride to realize that despite his words, Jonathan wasn't trying very hard to catch up to her uncle and his mother. He had the horse going at a trot, but a rather slow one, really. They had ridden here faster. She was so startled by the realization that she loosened her hold and started to pull away, but he stopped her by catching her hands with one of his own.

"You had best hold on," he said. "I would not wish to see you fall."

Alice wondered at the husky note to his voice, but decided to merely enjoy the ride. She relaxed against him.

at the husky note to his voice, but decided to merely enjoy the ride. She relaxed against him.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

 

About the Author

LYNSAY SANDS is the nationally bestselling author of the Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series, as well as numerous historicals and anthologies. She’s been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to be able to make a career out of it. Her hope is that readers can get away from their everyday stress through her stories, and if there’s occasional uncontrollable fits of laughter, that’s just a big bonus.

Author’s Social Media

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway

3 digital copies of To Marry a Scottish Laird

 

Entry-Form

{Cover Reveal} The Witch With No Name by Kim Harrison

THE WITCH WITH NO NAME by Kim Harrison

On-sale 9/9/2014 | ISBN:  9780061957956

The triumphant conclusion to Kim Harrison’s #1 New York Times bestselling Hollows series!

Rachel Morgan’s come a long way from the clutzy runner of Dead Witch Walking. She’s faced vampires and werewolves, banshees, witchs, and soul-eating demons. She’s crossed worlds, channeled gods, and accepted her place as a day-walking demon. She’s lost friends and lovers and family, and an old enemy has become something much more.

But power demands responsibility, and world-changers must always pay a price. That time is now.

To save Ivy’s soul and the rest of the living vampires, to keep the demonic ever after and our own world from destruction, Rachel Morgan will risk everything.

New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison was born and raised in the upper Midwest. Her bestselling Hollows novels include Dead Witch Walking, The Good, The Bad, and The Undead, Every Which Way But Dead, A Fistful of Charms, For a Few Demons More, The Outlaw Demon Wails, White Witch, Black Curse, Black Magic Sanction, Pale Demon, A Perfect Blood, Ever After, The Undead Pool, plus the short story collection Into the Woods and The Hollows Insider. She also writes the bestselling Madison Avery YA series.

Pre-Order Links:

·         Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-witch-with-no-name-kim-harrison/1119221237?cm_mmc=affiliates-_-linkshare-_-mdxm68jzjz8-_-10%3a1&ean=9780061957956&isbn=9780061957956&r=1
·         Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Witch-No-Name-Hollows-ebook/dp/B00JOGB1DQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398697640&sr=1-1&keywords=the+witch+with+no+name

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (31)

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme from Book Journey where we spotlight what we finished reading, are currently reading and plan to read next.

{Finished Reading}

{Currently Reading}

   {What I'm Going to Read Next} 

What about you? What have you read lately? What's next on your list?

{Cover Reveal} Second Chance (Running Into Love Book Three) by Annalisa Nicole

June 3, 2014

Adrian Wellington was beyond devastated when his wife, Shay, left him seventeen years ago without warning or explanation. She filed for divorce and left town, right when he needed her most. He’s since opened his own thriving business and has been going through the motions of day-to-day life, but not really living. He knows there’s just something missing, or rather someone.

Shay Bradshaw ran from the love of her life with a deep, dark, unforgivable secret. She took the cowardly way out and just disappeared. She moved across the country and as far away from the Wellington family as she could get, and the only man she’s ever loved. She made a promise to herself to never be the person she was all those years ago. She took with her the secret that she thought was hers to bear alone.

When Shay is forced to move back home to care for her mother, naturally karma would choose that time for their worlds to collide once again.

Can lightning strike a second time seventeen years later and bring two destined souls back together, or will Shay’s secret destroy their second chance?

The truth, although not what is seems, will set your heart free.

FACEBOOK * WEBSITE * GOODREADS * TWITTER * PINTEREST * AMAZON

I am an “Indie” contemporary romance author. I live in California with my husband and two teenage boys. I love being a stay at home mom. My husband and I enjoy wine tasting and camping with our kids with our four wheelers in the middle of nowhere, where you can find me with my pink Ryder BB gun!

We have a handful of pets, a dog named Lucy (who is in my books) and a guinea pig named Flufy (my son spelled her name that way) and a cat who adopted us many years ago and has never left. She is a spoiled outdoor cat with her own two story house and a heated bed.

I never liked reading as a kid. I only started reading romance novels in the past few years. My Kindle and I are inseparable now. A thought occurred to me in December of 2012 that maybe I could write a romance novel. So I went to work with the encouragement of my husband and my sister-in-law. It didn’t take long to figure out that I really enjoyed writing.

Today I am a self published author and it has been an amazing journey. Email me at authorannalisanicole@yahoo.com

• Amazon
• Amazon CA
• Amazon UK
• B&N
• Kobo

 

• Amazon
• Amazon CA
• Amazon UK
• B&N

 

Hosted by:

{Book Blast + 2 Giveaways} Ransom by Rachel Schurig

Ransom by Rachel Schurig
Publication date: April 28th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

**The first book in a brand new series from USA Today bestselling author Rachel Schurig. This New Adult Contemporary Romance novel is a complete story with no cliffhanger.**

Daisy Harris has no reason to suspect that her day will be any different than usual. She’ll go to class, alone. She won’t speak or make eye contact. She’ll spend her entire day doing her best to go completely unnoticed. That’s what life is like for Daisy now—an endless cycle of loneliness and fear. A life lived hiding behind the walls she so faithfully maintains.

Then she sees it. A magazine, left behind in class. A simple picture—just his face. And it changes everything.

It’s been a year since she’s seen Daltrey Ransome. A year since he and his brothers left town to pursue their dreams of rock and roll superstardom. A year since he left Daisy behind—left her to watch as everything she knew crumbled around her. She’s been running from Daltrey ever since, desperate to keep her secret.

But she can’t run anymore. And now that Daltrey has found her—the girl he’s loved his entire life, the girl he’d give up everything for—he’s determined never to let her go again.

Purchase:

Will be found here come release day: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Ransom%20by%20Rachel%20Schurig

Q & A

What was your inspiration for writing Ransom?

I’ve wanted to write a rock star romance for a long time. When I was in college some friends and I spent a few months following our favorite band on tour. It was one of the best times I’ve ever had! There’s something about a good road trip with good friends—add in the thrill of live music and it can’t be beat! I wanted to write about girlfriends going on an adventure like ours—and finding love along the way. Who doesn’t want to fall for a rock star??

What can you tell us about Daisy?

Poor Daisy’s had a rough year. After her best friend, Daltrey, left to hit it big with his band, Ransom, things went south for Daisy. The victim of some pretty vicious online bullying, she began to withdraw from the world around her. Severe panic attacks brought on by the trauma make it very difficult for her to interact with her peers as she starts college. By the time she meets Ransom fans Karen and Paige, she’s almost forgotten what it’s like to have friends. Karen and Paige help her regain her confidence and find the strength to rekindle her friendship with Daltrey.

What about Daltrey?

Daltrey is one of my favorite characters I’ve ever written. In many ways he’s your classic rock star—sexy, kind of dangerous, very talented, a little cocky. But he’s also incredibly sensitive and emotional. He never got over losing Daisy and now that she’s back in his life he’s determined not to lose her again. His dedication to the girl he’s always loved is pretty swoon worthy!

Can you give us three random facts about Ransom?

1. I plotted this entire book, right down to the names of all the characters, in one afternoon. In fact, I was waiting in line for a ride at Disneyland when inspiration struck. I was so glad I had my cell phone to take notes! By the time I reached the front of the very long line I had all the details squared away.

2. Daltrey and his brothers are all named after famous rock stars who influenced their father. I spent a lot of time choosing the names; I wanted the most influential musicians I could think of but I also needed to make sure the monikers sounded good as first names.

3.  Music was a very big part of my writing process with this story. I created a playlist as I wrote, adding more songs as I went along. By the time I was finished I had a huge list, and I listened to it every time I worked on the book.

{Giveaway}

Ebook Giveaway

Rachel Schurig has generously offered an ebook of Ransom to a Clever Girls Read reader, thanks Rachel. Open internationally. To enter - add Ransom to your Goodreads TBR list and leave a comment with a link to your TBR list and your e-mail address. Open until 5/15/14

Blitz wide giveaway

Open internationally 

-- $50 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway  
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZDA0MjUxMjM1OGRlZWRmZWM1YmUyMmFkYTM3OWE5OjQwOQ==/

AUTHOR BIO

Rachel Schurig lives in the metro Detroit area with her dog, Lucy. She loves to watch reality TV and she reads as many books as she can get her hands on. In her spare time, Rachel decorates cakes. Her THREE GIRLS series is available now from Amazon!

Author Links:

Website: http://rachelschurig.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rems330

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelSchurigAuthor