Book Review ~ Fast (Fast Series #1) by Ryan Ringbloom

 

 (Image Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18404404-fast)

Title: Fast (Fast Series #1)
Author: Ryan Ringbloom
Release Date: August 12th 2013
Published By: Ryan Ringbloom
Page Amount: 254 pages, e-book

GoodReads Blurb:
Senior Year in high school goes by fast. Young hearts fall in love and mistakes are made...by everyone. 

Sometimes everyone is guilty of going a little too FAST! 

Review: 
I was introduced to this series because of 'meeting' Jennifer Weiser (http://jenniferweiser.blogspot.com). Ryan Ringbloom is her best friend and so I decided that I had to check out this series. I'm really glad that I did. 

I really enjoyed this book. I like that it had different points of view. This books follows the relationship of two potential couples. In Part One it alternates between the two female characters so that you get to see what they're thinking throughout it. I was surprised when Part Two the points of view were now of the two boys. But that was a great decision, I think. Now we get to see what these boys are thinking through all of this. I thought that it was great that we get to get insight into both sides here. 

I think that this book also portrays things in high school pretty realistically. With the cliques and the drama and the rumors et cetera. Something that I also liked was that the reader is given insight into these characters. Especially since it is first person. The reader really gets to see what is going through a character's head. So then, the reader gets insight into why the characters does what they do and why they are who they are. 

I also really enjoyed the romance in this book. There was also a twist I certainly did not see coming. I enjoyed that, as well. I'm currently reading the second book, Wait, and am also enjoying that one. I would definitely recommend this book. (And I'm guessing that I'll be saying that about the whole series). I give this book 4.5 stars! 

Note: Mature Content, for upper young adult audience. 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Blog Tour ~ Panic by Ryan Ringbloom!!

 

I am SO excited to be taking part in the blog tour for Panic by Ryan Ringbloom!! I featured Ryan in my blog post Self Published Authors to Check Out (http://girlwithapenandadream.blogspot.com/2013/10/self-published-authors-to-check-out.html?showComment=1403633066215#c2044873764656983509 ). 

 

Title: Panic

Author: Ryan Ringbloom

Release Date: May 7th 2014

Published By: Ryan Ringbloom

GoodReads Blurb: 

Robin fell in love with Kent, the boy next door, a long time ago. Once their romance is rekindled, getting married and starting a family seems like the obvious next step. But fate throws a wrench in that plan. Now Robin is tempted to walk away from their relationship rather than settle for anything less than perfect with the man she loves.

Bailey is certainly not the boy next door, yet Shayna fell for his well-played act. But real love only exists in the movies. When a chance encounter binds them together, Shayna finds herself relying on Bailey more than she could ever have expected. And while their resources are slim and their circumstances are far from perfect, she and Bailey slowly discover that they do have something special to give….

When things don’t go exactly as planned, it’s hard not to PANIC.

MATURE CONTENT Strong Language/Sexual situations 

Review: 

Review to come within the next couple of weeks. I will update when it is posted. I'm reading the other books first and am really enjoying them. Keep an eye out for those reviews as well.

GIVEAWAY!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lucky Seven Game!!

Jennifer Weiser (http://jenniferweiser.blogspot.com) tagged me in the Lucky Seven Game!! 'Go to page 7 or 77 in your current WIP. Go to line 7. Post on your blog the next 7 sentences or 7 lines—as they are!' 

This is so exciting to me!! :) Especially since I'm planning on sharing with you a teaser from Beauty of the Dark, the novel that I wrote the first draft of during April Camp NaNoWriMo. I really wanted to share a teaser from page 77 but it happened to have a major spoiler on it. Page seven doesn't. This book is a Young Adult, Paranormal Romance about a witch and vampires (well, and more than that ;) so page seven isn't spoilery at all. Here we go: 

"'Kaleib.' I finally said, my eyes returning to Trent's. 

Trent wasn't looking at me anymore. He was staring right past me. Right through me. I knew that Kaleib and Trent had a history. Kaleib had always alluded to something but I never knew what happened. I tried to place the emotion in Trent's eyes but he went through so many so fast that I couldn't place any of them."  

-----------------------------------------------------------

There you go!! So, I'm supposed to tag seven people technically, but I'm tagging four people. Cindy Ray Hale, Trisha Wolfe, Ryan Ringbloom and Melyssa Winchester. 

Places to Find Them: 

Cindy Ray Hale: http://destinybycindyhale.blogspot.com  

Trisha Wolfe: https://www.facebook.com/trishawolfeya  

Ryan Ringbloom: http://www.ryanringbloom.com  

Melyssa Winchester: http://www.melyssawinchester.com  

<3 Amanda Leigh

Blog Tour ~ The Book of Bart by Ryan Hill - Guest Post!!

 

About the Book 

Title: The Book of Bart

Author: Ryan Hill

Genre: Paranormal
Age Group: Young Adult

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Release Date: May 22, 2014

Links: Goodreads

Only one thing is so powerful, so dangerous that Heaven and Hell must work together to find it: the Shard of Gabriel.

With a mysterious Black Cloud of Death hot on the shard’s trail, a desperate Heaven enlists the help of Bart, a demon who knows more about the shard than almost anyone. Six years ago, he had it in his hands. If only he’d used it before his coup to overthrow the devil failed. Now, he’s been sprung from his eternal punishment to help Samantha, an angel in training, recover the shard before the Black Cloud of Death finds it.

If Bartholomew wants to succeed, he’ll have to fight the temptation to betray Samantha and the allure of the shard. After an existence full of evil, the only way Bart can get right with Hell is to be good.

Guest Post:

THE BOOK OF BART has it's roots in a previous manuscript I wrote, called THE DEMON'S KISS. In that book, Bart was the main villain. His personality was the same, but he looked like he was thirty-five, not eighteen. Every time I got to a scene with Bart, I'd get really excited, moreso than I did with any other part of the book. About halfway through writing that manuscript, I decided Bart deserved his own story. When I decided to shelve THE DEMON'S KISS, THE BOOK OF BART was born. 

Writing THE BOOK OF BART was a fantastic experience. I knew there would be challenges, the biggest of which was making sure I didn't turn off readers with Bart's behavior. Asking a demon to step inside the mind of a demon is a tall task, and throughout the writing process I always tried to make sure Bart was scoundrelly, but didn't do anything that would completely turn off the reader. It didn't hurt that Bart is a fun character, as he quickly grew tired of damning souls, and decided to make a game of it. That jester-like quality is what helped me keep Bart from going into dark territory and turning off the reader. It was a fantastic challenge, and made THE BOOK OF BART more enjoyable for it. I think. I mean, at least for me. A reader may feel differently. Anxiety taking over. Hair catching on fire.

Moving on...

I did do some research for THE BOOK OF BART. I set the story in Raleigh, NC, where I live. That made the geography easier to navigate. As for some of the more supernatural elements in the book, some of it I made up, while others were culled from research on Wikipedia, aka a writer's best friend. I studied all sorts of mythologies/religions, especially the different characters within. From there, I either directly used something, or created an item that, say, one of these figures created, the Shard of Gabriel, which was created by the angel Gabriel. I love playing with mythology. 

About the Author

Growing up, Ryan Hill used to spend his time reading and writing instead of doing homework. This resulted in an obsession with becoming a writer, but also a gross incompetence in the fields of science and mathematics. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Ryan has been a film critic for over five years. He lives in Raleigh, NC, with his dog/shadow Maggie. Ryan also feels strange about referring to himself in the third person.

Links: Website + Goodreads + Twitter

A Post of Many Random Things

I know I haven't been updating this blog as much as I should. There has been a lot going on, believe me, a lot. I'll tell you all when it's all done. 

I've been posting a lot of book blitz and promo posts for books lately. There has been one post within the last seven that haven't been that. That one was addressing the fact that that day was the birthday of the main character in my upcoming YA/NA crossover novella. It also had a teaser picture. To see that one go here: http://girlwithapenandadream.blogspot.com/2014/06/today-is-sam-ramsdens-birthday-and.html  Also, in that post, if you comment wishing Sam (the main character) a happy birthday you will automatically be entered into a future giveaway where you could win an annotated copy of My Heart is Yours, the book that Sam stars in. :) 

What else? I've told you that I finished the draft of another novel. That one is a YA novel. It's a paranormal, thriller, romance. The other day I started book two in the series because I just couldn't  wait. I had other writing projects I could be working on, but I did that.... Anyway, I wrote the first 270 words. I know so much about this world and the characters and I just want to dive in. I know one main character incredibly well. One of those characters where you don't really need to think about what they'll say next, you know? 

I am so excited for My Heart is Yours to come out. I have to the last round of edits. These edits are incredibly mundane and I am avoiding doing the,m but I have to. If I want to see this book in print, I have to. And I really want to see this book in print. 

I'm thinking of redoing my blog... but that may not be for a while. When I say redo I mean design wise. Content will still be the type that is now. If you want to see different content from me (about my personal life, medical experiences, my fiancé and I, DIYs, music reviews, food/recipes, inspiration, etc.) please go here: http://lifeofachronicbibliophile.blogspot.com  

I have to write more poems. For a couple of reasons. Well, a few reasons. I'm submitting poems to this magazine run by a church and their first issue is going to be about spring and new life. I had exactly one poem about that. So I want to try to write another. Another reason is I want to submit poetry to poetry/literary magazines. Next, I would love to start getting my third poetry collection together. Last, I just haven't written a poem in a while and I really want to. 

I also want to write more in my journal. Do any of you keep a journal of any type? I would love to know. I love hearing about those things. :) I finished one in March that I had had since the previous June. I started another after that and finished it in May. That is the one I'm on now. I really need to write more in it. I love journaling. I started doing it regularly when I was eleven (now I'm 23) and now am on my 29th or 30th. (Of this type of journal, anyway). 

Lastly, I'm thinking of putting together a collection of my short stories. Another project...oh, boy.... ;) 

What about you guys? What has been going on with you? What have you been reading, writing or doing? Any thoughts on all of the random things I just shared? Let me know in the comments!! I would LOVE to know!! :) 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Book Blitz ~ Spirit World by Krystalyn Drown + GIVEAWAY!!

About the Book

Title: Spirit World

Author: Krystalyn Drown

Genre: Paranormal

Age Group: Young Adult

Publisher: Krystalyn Drown

Release Date: April 22, 2014

Links: Goodreads + Amazon

Riesa Adair can hear the dead, but somewhere between her summer in a mental institution and her stepfather's attempt at an exorcism, she learned to keep quiet about it. But that doesn't mean the voices have gone away. A powerful Spirit has taken notice of her, and he plans to use her unique talents to gain control of the human world. Even worse, there is a prophecy that says he will succeed.

Spirit World currently .99 cents on Kindle!!

About the Author

Krystalyn has spent the past thirteen years working at Walt Disney World in a variety of roles: entertainer, talent coordinator, and character captain. Her degree in theatre as well as many, many hours spent in a dance studio, helped with her job there.

Her various other day jobs have included working at Sea World in zoology, as an elementary teacher, and currently as a support technician for a website. In the evenings, she does mad writing challenges with her sister, who is also an author.

Krystalyn lives near Orlando, Florida with her husband, son, a were cat, and a Yorkie with a Napoleon complex.

Links: Website + Facebook + Twitter + Goodreads  

GIVEAWAY!! 

Spirit world bookmark and sticker plus $10 Amazon gift card and various other author swag. 

Leave a comment below to enter!! 

Book Blitz ~ Tore Divided by K. D. Ferguson

 

 

Tore Divided Love

by K.D. Ferguson 

Release Date: 06/06/14

Summary from Goodreads:

A future set in stone.

For eighteen year old Krissa Channing a government ruled pairing with Braiden Connor and a move to Headquarters were her set fate. Until Braiden's sudden disappearance threatens Krissa’s entire future.

After months of endless worry, Krissa has an unexpected meeting with Duke, a perfect suitor that could offer her the future she’s always dreamed of. Just when she begins to regain hope, Braiden returns.

Now, Krissa must find where her heart truly lies. Torn between two loves, she must decide which of their worlds she belongs in. But is such a decision even possible when the choice rests between freedom and love?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22285187-tore-divided-love

Goodreads link to book one:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22048837-torn-true-love

Buy Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Tore-Divided-Love-K-D-Ferguson-ebook/dp/B00KSD7GZQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402265299&sr=8-1&keywords=K.D.+Ferguson 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tore-kd-ferguson/1119693612?ean=2940045992671 

 

Buy Links: (book one)

http://www.amazon.com/Torn-True-Love-K-D-Ferguson-ebook/dp/B00K6GIGRC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1402265299&sr=8-2&keywords=K.D.+Ferguson

Excerpt 

            He took my hands and stared at me with his emerald eyes.  “I promise I won’t ever put you through that again.  I was an ass.  I was selfish.  I’ve changed. You are what I want.”  He looked around my place.  “This is what I want.”

            God, I wanted to believe him, but I was so uncertain.  I’d been down this road with him before and we didn’t have the best experience.  He’d broken me so badly, but I guess I had no other choice but to let him fix me.  “I can’t go through that again, Braiden.”

            “Do you still love me?”

            Like he needed to ask.  “I never stopped.”

            “I was so stupid.  I love you.  It took being without you to realize that.  I want you, and only you, forever.”

            My heart was begging me to believe him while my mind still had reservations.  “Please stay true to your word.”

            “I promise.”  He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me close to him.  I wanted to stay like that forever.  He was my home.  I felt safe even though I probably wasn’t.  I wasn’t happy but I was certain that wouldn’t last.  And I felt loved even though that most likely wasn’t true.

About the Author

 

I have recently released my first book, Torn-True Love, published by Rebel Ink Press. I am thrilled to be a part of the family! 

GIVEAWAY!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Book Blitz Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

 

Promo Event ~ Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen - ON SALE!!

 

 Welcome to the promotional event for Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen! In addition to a great excerpt and giveaway, we're thrilled to announce that there is a promotional price of $1.99! Grab it while it lasts! 

 

Title: Cinderella Screwed Me Over

Author: Cindi Madsen 

Age: Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled

ASIN: B00BMKFPL6

ISBN: 1622660315

Goodreads

Blurb:

Darby Quinn has a bone to pick with Cinderella. Burned one too many times by ex-boyfriends, Darby has lost all belief in the happily-ever-after that the fairy-tale princess promised her. She's sworn off love, Prince Charmings, and happy endings and she's happy about it. Really. Or at least she was…until she met Jake, her gorgeous neighbor and the manager of her favorite restaurant. But Darby has rules about dating, ones she's culled from her years spent with so-called “princes,” and starting something with Jake would break all of them.

Charming, fun, and unwilling to give up on her, Jake doesn’t fit any of the profiles Darby has created from her case studies of ex-princes-gone-bad. Finally presented with her own Prince Charming, can Darby take a chance on a happily-ever-after?

Full of wit and sarcastic humor, Cinderella Screwed Me Over proves that sometimes the perfect love, like a perfect pair of shoes, is just within your grasp.

EXCERPT

Jake looked down at me and I noticed again how blue his eyes were. My gaze moved to his lips. 

Mayday, mayday, mayday. 

I dropped my hand from his arm and swallowed.

“And what did I do to deserve the brush-off?” he asked.

The elevator doors opened and I let out a sigh of relief. Saved by the bing! I moved for the doors, but Jake beat me to them. Only he put a hand out to hold them open and turned to face me, eyebrows raised. So much for escaping the question. 

I could feel every beat of my heart, and the walls of the elevator seemed to be closing in on me. “It’s nothing against you personally. You seem nice—you’re very charming, actually, which I’m sure you know. But you live in my building, and I’ve got certain rules about that kind of thing. Before I stuck to the rules, my life was much messier.” I ducked under his arm—damn he smelled good—and started for my car. 

Jake stayed by my side, our footsteps echoing through the garage. “I live in the wrong place and just like that, I’ve got no chance with you?” 

I kept my eyes on my car, afraid that if I looked at him, I might give in. And yes, last night I’d considered trying one little date. But he noticed too much, and he pushed against boundaries I wasn’t ready to let go of. It was time I pushed back. “Why have you chosen to pursue me? I’m not playing hard to get. It’s not some game you’ve got to win.” I pointed my remote at my silver Dodge Durango and pushed the unlock button. 

Jake stepped ahead of me and opened the car door for me. “I’m sure plenty of guys hit on you. Obviously you’re beautiful. But there’s something different about you that makes me not want to give up.” 

“You don’t even know me,” I said.

“And whose fault is that?”

“Cinderella’s.”

Two creases formed between Jake’s eyebrows. “Cinderella’s?”                             

“Yeah, Cinderella screwed me over.” Without any more explanation, I got into my car, pulled the door closed, and fired up the engine. 

 

 Amazon | BN | Kobo | iTunes

Check out the Cinderella Screwed Me Over PINTEREST board!

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

 

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the YA author of DEMONS OF THE SUN & ALL THE BROKEN PIECES, and the adult author of FALLING FOR HER FIANCE, ACT LIKE YOU LOVE ME and CINDERELLA SCREWED ME OVER.

Twitter: @CindiMadsen | Facebook | Website 

 

Today Is Sam Ramsden's Birthday!! (Plus A Teaser From An Upcoming Release and Entrance Into Future Giveaway!!)

Who is Sam Ramsden? Samantha (A.K.A. Sam) is the female protagonist in my upcoming release, My Heart is Yours. Today is June 10th, and that is her birthday. So I just wanted to put that out there and say "Happy Birthday Sam!!" And, also, to see how many people will wish Sam a happy birthday. Either here, or on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmandaLeigh 

If you do you will be automatically entered to win a signed and annotated copy of My Heart is Yours when it comes out in February. I leave you with this teaser graphic for My Heart is Yours. Have a great day!! :) 

 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Release Blitz ~ Tur and Elsker by S.T. Bende

Introducing The Elsker Saga by ST Bende

The Amazon bestselling New Adult Paranormal Romance series inspired by Norse mythology and featured in USA Today. 

  What reviewers are saying about The Elsker Saga:

"The characters will leave an imprint on your heart and mind for a long time to come." -Lisa (Bound by Books)

"Bende takes classic bits of Norse mythology and throws in original elements to create her own tasty Nordic blend... I'll definitely be checking out the sequel!" -Bookalicious Reviews

"One of my favorite books of the year." -White Zin Bookends

"Action packed with a heart pounding romance!" -Curse of the Bibliophile

"This book was nearly impossible to put down and I'm dying for the sequel!" -Brittany and Bianca Blab Books (now BiblioBelles)

The Elsker Saga: Elsker 

Coming May 29, 2014

You don't win the heart of an immortal assassin without making a few enemies along the way. Kristia Tostenson prefers Earl Grey to Grey Goose and book clubs to nightclubs, but when she transfers from her one-stoplight town to Cardiff University in Wales she falls in love with Ull Myhr. Her new boyfriend isn't exactly what she was expecting. He's an honest to goodness Norse God - an immortal assassin fated to die at Ragnarok, the battle destined to destroy Asgard and Earth. Kristia's crazy visions are the only thing that can save their realms. 

Her orderly life just got very messy. 

Tur: An Elsker Saga Novella

Coming May 2014

Inga Andersson is the envy of every girl in Asgard. On the surface she has it all -- great friends, a job as Odin’s personal fight choreographer, and a happy ever after with her realm’s hottest assassin. But when evil invades Asgard, her perfect world comes crashing down. Someone is planning to kill off the gods, and Inga’s best friend Ull is first on their list. With the Norse apocalypse a nanosecond away, Inga has to decide how she’ll spend her final moments of freedom. Because from the moment this battle begins, Inga’s happily ever after will be nothing more than a memory.

Some things are worth fighting for.

Author Social Media Links:

Blog  - ST Bende on Twitter - Ull Myhr on Twitter - Facebook - GoodReads

To feature or review Elsker, contact ST at stbende@gmail.com .  Thank you for your consideration!!

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Blog Tour ~ Destruction by Sharon Bayliss

Title: Destruction
Series: The December People #1
Author: Sharon Bayliss
Genre/Age Range: Contemporary, Fantasy, Adult
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Release Date: April 14, 2014
Links: Goodreads

David Vandergraff wants to be a good man. He goes to church every Sunday, keeps his lawn trim and green, and loves his wife and kids more than anything. Unfortunately, being a dark wizard isn't a choice.

Eleven years ago, David's secret second family went missing. When his two lost children are finally found, he learns they suffered years of unthinkable abuse. Ready to make things right, David brings the kids home even though it could mean losing the wife he can’t imagine living without.

Keeping his life together becomes harder when the new children claim to be dark wizards. David believes they use this fantasy to cope with their trauma. Until, David's wife admits a secret of her own—she is a dark wizard too, as is David, and all of their children.

Now, David must parent two hurting children from a dark world he doesn’t understand and keep his family from falling apart. All while dealing with the realization that everyone he loves, including himself, may be evil.

Sharon Bayliss is the author of The December People Series and The Charge. When she’s not writing, she enjoys living happily-ever-after with her husband and two young sons. She can be found eating Tex-Mex on patios, wearing flip-flops, and playing in the mud (which she calls gardening). She only practices magic in emergencies.

Links: Website + Goodreads + Twitter + Facebook