Post Reading: Leverage - Joshua C. Cohen

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Leverage

Author: Joshua C. Cohen 

Published: 1 February 2011 by Dutton Children's Books

Source: eBook Bought

Add it on Goodreads

The football field is a battlefield

There's an extraordinary price for victory at Oregrove High. It is paid on - and off - the football field. And it claims its victims without mercy - including the most innocent bystanders. 

When a violent, steroid-infused, ever-escalating prank war has devastating consequences, an unlikely friendship between a talented but emotionally damaged fullback and a promising gymnast might hold the key to a school's salvation.

Told in alternating voices and with unapologetic truth, Leverage illuminates the fierce loyalty, flawed justice, and hard-won optimism of two young athletes.

THE REVIEW

One of the biggest misconceptions of anabolic steroid usage is that it is solely used by athletes as a performance enhancing drug.

But in fact, half of the users of steroids aren't even athletes. These “mirror athletes” use steroids in order to achieve an “ideal” body. This practice roots from prevalent adolescent body image issues that are often perpetuated by misguided internalized messages in pop culture. Often, boys are obsessed with bulking up in order to fit in with what they see as societal ideals.

An astounding 57% of teenagers admit that they felt compelled to take the drugs what with leading “health” magazines constantly featuring ripped guys.

The percentage of teen athletes who do not receive any education about what the side effects of steroids: 85%

The percentage of high school boys who admit to having tried steroids at least once: 11%

Joshua C. Cohen's Leverage is a mature Young Adult novel that focuses on an issue that is often ignored - Steroid usage among adolescents. But Leverage goes above and beyond your average sports fiction novel.

Social hierarchies in school, dismissal of male victims of rape, bullying, substance abuse, abuse of the power and authority, speech disorder - No stone is left unturned. It's an incredibly hard book to read but also hopeful in its own way. Narrated in distinctive dual POVs of a gymnast and a football player, Leverage is a homage to beautiful friendships found in unlikely places.

ARC Review: Crash into You - Katie McGarry

Author: Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: Nov 26th 2013

Source: Publisher/NetGalley 

Synopsis:

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind. 

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look. 

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

My Thoughts

Seven Things I Love About You: Crash Into You – Katie McGarry

Dear Crash Into You,

1) I love that your writing grabbed me from the first line and kept me reading through out the night until 3AM in the morning. The writing was simply riveting. Katie is truly an extraordinary storyteller.

Guest Review: Dizzy - Nyrae Dawn & Jolene Perry

Author: Nyrae Dawn & Jolene Perry

Publisher: Next Door Books

Release Date: November 15th 2012

Synopsis:

Dylan doesn’t do relationships. He and his older brother watched their dad go through hell and back, so they made a pact years ago—no girl would come between the Gibson boys. But his brother sells out. He's getting married anyway. To the sister of a chick Dylan met at a party, who's probably the angriest girl he's ever met. Unfortunately, she happens to be hot, too.

Ziah’s life is upside down—her safe boyfriend turns out to be not-so-safe, and now her sister is getting married before college is over to the older brother of a spoiled, party boy who drives her crazy. And also makes her heart beat too fast.

There’s no denying the attraction, but there's also no denying how much they irritate each other. When they’re thrown together as forced wedding planners, they find an ally in each other--neither wants this wedding to happen.

But instead of putting a stop to the crazy nuptials they find themselves at fittings and cake testing. And maybe even…a few dates?
Dizzy is a novel about what happens when two people who are determined not to fall in love, maybe do anyway. Maybe.

My Thoughts

Cute. Light. Definitely chick-lit-ty.

I decided that I would break my reading schedule because my buddy read Stef, told me that it was a very good read. It was definitely such a cute thing :D

Its not everyday that you meet a girl that’s different from most. Especially since she doesn’t like you the very first time she sets eyes on you. Dylan could never forget how that one girl, Ziah. Then the whole wedding his brother is having is something he didn’t expect… and Ziah.

I’m not usually the kind of girl that reads a lot of chick-lit books. I tend to read more intense and emotional books. So its refreshing reading this book because its just so… light and sweet.

Chat Review: My Ex From Hell - Tellulah Darling

Title: My Ex From Hell 
Author: Tellulah Darling
Published: April 2013-Te Da Media
Series: The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #1
Sixteen-year-old Sophie Bloom wishes she’d been taught the following:

a) Bad boy’s presence (TrOuBlE) + teen girl’s brain (DraMa) = TrAuMa (Highly unstable and very volatile.)
b) The Genus Greekulum Godissimus is notable for three traits: 1) awesome abilities, 2) grudges, and 3) hook-ups, break-ups, and in-fighting that puts cable to shame.

Prior to the Halloween dance, Sophie figures her worst problems involve adolescent theatrics, bitchy yoga girls, and being on probation at her boarding school for mouthy behaviour. Then she meets bad boy Kai and gets the kiss that rocks her world.

Literally.

This breath stealing lip lock reawakens Sophie’s true identity: Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She’s key to saving humanity in the war between the Underworld and Olympus, target numero uno of Hades and Zeus, and totally screwed.

Plus there’s also the little issue that Sophie’s last memory as Persephone was just before someone tried to murder her.

Big picture: master her powers, get her memories back, defeat Persephone’s would be assassin, and save the world. Also, sneak into the Underworld to retrieve stolen property, battle the minions of Hades and Zeus, outwit psycho nymphs, slay a dragon, rescue a classmate, keep from getting her butt expelled from the one place designed to keep her safe …

… and stop kissing Kai, Prince of the Underworld.

Nuzaifa: Hi Everyone! Since the response for our first chat review in April was amazing we have decided to make the chat review a monthly feature here at Say It with Books. So welcome to our second chat review-Today we will be reviewing Tellulah Darling’s YA romantic comedy, My Ex from Hell! J

So Rach tell me what are your thoughts on My Ex from Hell?

Rachel: Do you know the feeling when you totally didn’t see something coming? That’s what I felt when I read My Ex from Hell. When I first heard of it, I expected it to just be another typical story of a teenage girl and a bad boy-you know the story. But when I started reading it, I was instantly engrossed and I liked Sophie right away. She’s witty and downright hilarious! I know readers will absolutely love her and all the other characters.

Nuzaifa: Spot on, Rach-that is exactly how I felt about Sophie! This girl’s sarcasm will leave you in a fit of giggles! One of the Darling’s strengths is her knack for writing witty dialogue. Thanks to this factor the story moved fast and there was never a dull moment!

Truly, Madly, Deeply, You-Cecilia Robert

Title: Truly, Madly, Deeply, You
Author: Cecilia Robert
Published: March 21st 2012-Inkspell Publishing

Synopsis:
Four days before Valentine’s Day, Liese Hansfeld is determined to shut the door to her house, as well as her heart, for her annual four days of mourning her one true love. Little does she know her best friend Freytag Meier is just as determined to keep her from her ritual. He’s ready to pick the lock to her apartment door and camp in her living room if that’s what it takes.

What Freytag isn’t prepared for is the surge of deep-rooted emotions he feels for Liese, but two things stand in his way: the grief and guilt she still clutches close to her heart, and a man who threatens to snatch Liese from under Frey’s watchful eye. Frey is determined to distract her into forgetting her pain. But is that enough to ease her grief, or help her see he can be more than her best friend?

Excerpt

Liese walked out of her bedroom and paused just outside the sitting room door, wondering if Frey was on the other side waiting for her. She tugged on her gown and pulled at the bodice. How were her breasts going to remain hidden in the gown? For the tenth time, she cursed Frey for ordering the silk concoction.

He’d left the house. Her mind had been plunged in doubt, wondering if he would come back. Overwhelmed by both her revelation and exhausted from the effects of her medication, she’d slumped back on the bed hoping to keep an ear open for his return. Three hours later, she had woken up to find the box on top of the duvet at her feet. He had scribbled on the note that none of her ball gowns fit her anymore because of her ‘skeletal’ figure. Apparently, Frey had gone ahead and bought her a gown for the ball. It didn’t surprise her that Frey had done so. No. Growing up, they’d always gone shopping together for these affairs, or leased gowns and tuxedos for the ball season. What surprised her, and made her squirm, was the indecently low-cut bodice of the gown he had chosen for her. The silk, blood-red in colour, and the low neckline, combined to make indecent thoughts flash through her mind. What made it worse were the layers of petticoat beneath the gown. She had already tripped on them numerous times and she wondered how she was going to last the night. What kind of game was he playing at?

There was shuffling of feet from the other side of the door, and then it flew open to reveal Frey. He stood before her in black, long-tailed tuxedo, complemented by a white, single-breasted waistcoat, white shirt, and a sky-blue tie.

Had he always looked the way he now did?

“You clean up well, I must say.” Frey interrupted her curious studying.

She jerked her head up and locked gazes with him, just in time to see his eyes sweep over her head down to her toes. They lingered on her décolletage, and she saw the bobbing movement of his throat.

She cleared her throat noisily, and waited until he focused on her face. She swept a hand across her cleavage. “This? Really, Frey.”

He blinked innocently at her. She swept past him, almost tripping on the petticoats tangling at her legs.

“You don’t like the dress, Li?”

She whirled around and lifted the skirts, displaying an impressive array of crinolines. “How am I supposed to last the night? Unless I draw everyone else to my upper body, I think I’ll make a mess of it all. Why so Goth-Renaissance, anyway?”

Frey strolled to stand in front of her. “Turn around.”

“What?”

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE by L.M. Augustine Tour Stop: Giveaway + Review

(click the picture to see the blog tour schedule on L.M. Augustine's website)

Get ready for some pure awesomeness that will happen today at our blog because guess what.. today is our stop for the Click to Subscribe blog tour! Woot wooot!

Title: Click to Subscribe
Author: L.M. Augustine
Published: May 9th 2013
Source: Received an ebook for the blog tour
Synopsis:

1,135,789. That’s how many subscribers sixteen-year-old West Ryder has on his web vlog series. But he only has eyes for one of them. 

 As one of the internet’s most prestigious video bloggers, West talks about high school relationships under the name “Sam Green.” As far as he knows, no one from school, not even his best friend, Cat, has seen his videos. But the highlight of the whole thing is Harper Knight, who comments every day at exactly 2:02 in the afternoon. He doesn’t know anything about her aside from the occasional deep philosophical messaging on why pizza tastes so delicious, but as stupid as it sounds, he might be falling for her. So when they finally agree to meet in real life, West’s hope for romance seems more and more in reach. But that all changes as soon as he arrives at their meeting spot and sees Cat walking toward him, wearing the same “I <3  Sam Green” T-shirt Harper promised she'd have on. 

To his alarm, West realizes he is falling in love with the best friend who has always been a sister to him.

My Thoughts

Click to Subscribe is a novel that's not hard to love and be addicted to. Interesting and dorky characters, funny lines, vlogging, romance, first love, ice cream, chocolate cake - what more can you ask for??

I'll have to give a very drool-worthy virtual chocolate cake to L.M. Augustine..

 ..because of the writing style which made me want to keep reading 'til the wee hours of the morning.  

Shucked Book Blitz: Giveaway + Excerpt

Today on our blog, you will all have the chance to read an excerpt of Shucked and also get to win some awesome prizes. This tour is organized by Xpresso Book Tours.

Title: Shucked
Author: Megg Jensen
Published: April 14th 2013
Genre: YA Contemporary
Synopsis:

Suburgatory meets Indiana Jones...on a farm 

Fifteen-year-old Tabitha has had the kind of life that would impress even the greatest adventurers. She's escaped a croc attack in the Amazon, walked the length of the Great Wall of China, and earned a black belt in taekwondo in Korea. She owes her worldly experience to her mother's career in archaeology, but when her mother takes on a dangerous new assignment, Tabitha is devastated to learn she can't tag along. 

 Instead, she's forced to live on a midwestern farm with her grandparents where she'll have to attend a full year of public school. It's Tabitha's greatest nightmare, because despite all her adventures, she has no practical experience with the one thing that frightens her the most - other teenagers. 

Her math teacher is her mom's old high school boyfriend, she can't tell the friendly girls from the mean ones, and she develops a major crush on a boy she knows she can't trust. And just when she thinks she'll never get the hang of this normal teenager thing, an attack brings the danger of her previous life right up to her midwestern porch. Who could have ever guessed getting totally shucked would bring her face-to-face with her most exciting adventure yet?

Purchase:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Excerpt

     And now I had to face math too? I prayed for a tornado or anything to whisk me away from this school. Instead, a boy stood in the doorway, blocking my entry to the classroom. 

     His back to me, all I could see was his stringy blond hair. I had the strangest urge to run my fingers through it - fingers covered with shampoo, that is. I shuddered at the grossness of it. What? Did he just get off the tractor before heading into school? 

     “Excuse me.” I nudged him with my knee as I ducked under the outstretched arm of the boy next to him. The other boy moved, maybe about a centimeter, as he turned his head to look down at me. Then I was struck. 

     Oh, Aphrodite, his eyes alone forced my stomach to plummet down to my toes. Gorgeous, dark brown Asian eyes. Who was this boy and what planet did he come from?He looked unlike every other midwestern homegrown pod person in this high school. My jaw dropped. My brain scrambled. 

     “Annyong hashimnikka.” I wanted to hit myself on the head with a blunt object. Stupid, stupid, stupid, speaking Korean instead of English. 

     “Huh?” he asked, a smile spread across his face. Dimples, there were dimples. “Did you just tell me good afternoon in Korean?” 

     I nodded. 

     “That’s cool.” He reached down and put his arm around my shoulder. “How’d you know I’m Korean?” 

     “I lived there for a year,” I stammered, struck by his eyes. 

     “My parents taught me a little here and there when I was growing up. Too bad there isn’t an opportunity for me to learn more with the Korean adoption groups in Chicago. There isn’t enough free time on the farm for that." 

     My knees quivered as he led me over to an empty desk. What was wrong with me? Did my exile to cheerleading turn me into a weak-kneed teenage girl? I dropped my math book on the desk and gazed up at him. 

     “Long day?” he asked. “You look a little glassy eyed.”  

     Buddha give me strength. It was obvious. He knew. 

     “Leave her alone, Alex.” Becky elbowed her way between us. His arm slipped off my shoulders, leaving my skin hot and tingly. I wasn’t feeling well all of a sudden. 

     Maybe my vomiting fears were about to come true. 

     Alex turned around and skulked to the back row. He struck up a conversation with a geek next to him. A girl geek. Jealousy gnawed at my gut. I might need to kill Becky for sending him away. 

     “Sorry about Alex,” Becky said, rolling her eyes. “He’s such a player.” 

     “You think he’s a player?” I asked. “Really?” 

     “He’s dated almost every girl in school.” Becky drew quotes in the air when she said dated. 

     “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, eyeing him again. He leaned over closer to the geeky girl and twirled a bit of her hair around his index finger. She giggled. I reached to my belt for a sword before I realized I wasn’t in taekwondo and that I wasn’t allowed to hurt unarmed geeks. 

     “He’s a serial dater. He’s different. He’s hot. He knows it. Everyone has fallen for him at one time or another. Anyway, Alex is trouble. Stay away from him.”

Meet the Author

 

I've been a freelance parenting journalist since 2003 and began writing YA novels in 2009. I co-run DarkSide Publishing, am a member of SCBWI, and I blog about writing while juggling freelancing, volunteering, and family life. I live in the Chicago suburbs with my husband, two kids, and our miniature schnauzer, Ace.

Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway Time! 

The Boyfriend App PH Blog Tour: Review + Excerpt

 

Title: The Boyfriend App
Author: Katie Sise
Published: April 30th by Balzer & Bray
Format: paperback
Website: Author's Website
Source: ARC borrowed from Chyna, the blog tour host

In The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise, super-smart, somewhat geeky Audrey McCarthy can’t wait to get out of high school. Her father’s death and the transformation of her one-time BFF, Blake Dawkins, into her worst nightmare have her longing for the new start college will bring.

But college takes money. So Audrey decides she has to win the competition for the best app designed by a high schooler—and the $200,000 that comes with it. She develops something she calls the Boyfriend App, and suddenly she’s the talk of the school and getting kissed by the hottest boys around. But can the Boyfriend App bring Audrey true love? 

                                                                                                                   

My Thoughts

I originally requested The Boyfriend App from Edelweiss but unfortunately, I missed the expiration date for the download but luckily, the tour host, Chyna, sent me a copy of her ARC and thanks to her I got to read this novel with a very refreshing plot. :)

First of all, I love the cover! It really got me. I think that was the main reason why I requested it on Edelweiss. And the blurb! I knew right away that I had to read this book, whatever happens.

Audrey, the main character in the story is someone who doesn't give up and that is one of the things I loved about her. Yes, I knew that this story was going to be something different but of course, I still had my doubts about it especially the main character. But I was really surprised by the flow of the story because it was not that predictable. I had a moment there when I told myself, "Oh, didn't see that coming!" And from the moment when Audrey said, "I was fearless.", I knew that I will like this story. :)

I feel that some people can really relate to Audrey because she experienced teenage things like having fights with your best friend (but her fight with Blake was a pretty nasty one) and having a happy crush and losing someone you love. These are all part of growing up and I, myself, can relate to Audrey too. And of course, there will always be those guys. Yes. Guys who will sweep the lead character off her feet and let's admit it, sometimes, they sweep us off our feet too. *winks*

I just felt like I didn't get to know more about Xander other than him being Blake's boyfriend. He also sent mixed signals to Audrey and it's kind of frustrating to have him doing that because it's like he's doing the push-pull strategy. I think that even if he wasn't in this story, things will still flow smoothly. As for Aidan, I love his shyness and mysteriousness, but like Xander, I think it'll be nicer if I got to know more about him too and his friendship with Audrey.

I liked the fact that Audrey was strong enough to go through every challenge that she faced in this story. Imagine your ex-best friend bullying you in front of the whole student body. That's painful enough, isn't it? So, kudos to Audrey for never giving up and standing tall despite everything that happened.

The Boyfriend App is a refreshingly fun and cutesy story that readers will surely like!

My Rating

First Two Chapters the BOYFRIEND APP_Excerpt-1

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

About the Author

Katharine “Katie” Sise is a New York City based author, jewelry designer and television host. Years ago, at age twenty-four— after dropping a rare and very expensive bottle of champagne on her way to deliver it to Robert De Niro’s table—she realized she needed a way to fund her acting and writing career that didn’t involve balancing a tray full of cocktails. That fall, she taught herself to make jewelry and launched Katharine Sise Jewelry. Within a few months, Lucky Magazine called her a “Designer to Watch” and her company appeared in every major fashion magazine—including Vogue, W, Elle, Self, Lucky, InStyle, Bazaar, Allure, Us Weekly, People, In Touch, Page Six Magazine, Real Simple, FN, Life and Style, Teen Vogue, Seventeen, Women’s Wear Daily, Marie Claire and Glamour. Before she knew it, her celebrity clientele included Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Kelly Ripa, Ellen Pompeo, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Beyonce Knowles, Anne Hathaway and Drew Barrymore.

Katharine has been profiled on dozens of online fashion and lifestyle outlets including Forbes.com, Elle.com, InStyle.com, People.com, Sweet, The Huffington Post and The New York Post. Her jewelry has appeared on television shows such as The View, Live with Regis and Kelly, E! News, Good Day New York, Full Frontal Fashion, Movie and a Makeover, The O.C., Brothers and Sisters and Gossip Girl. While Katharine was chatting with the ladies from The View, one of her necklaces broke on air and fell from her neck to her lap because she didn’t spend enough time getting the clasp right. That moment is preserved, forever, on a DVD at her parents’ house.

Katharine has designed jewelry for national campaigns like Vera Wang, Gap and Keds. In 2009, Target launched Katharine Sise for Target.

Katharine has worked as a fashion and lifestyle consultant, appearing on-air for networks like HSN, Oxygen, Discovery Channel, CNBC and ABC’s Good Morning America. For eighteen months, Katharine co-hosted a live monthly television show for The Home Shopping Network. She also appeared as The Daily Special’s resident style expert.

Katharine’s first book, Creative Girl: The Ultimate Guide for Turning Talent and Creativity into a Real Career (Perseus/Running Press) hit shelves in September of 2010. Creative Girl is written for every woman who wants to make her living in the creative world, whether in an office job or at the helm of her own business. The book is an encouraging and practical take on how to make a living doing what you love.

Katharine’s first novel, The Boyfriend App, will be published by HarperCollins Balzer + Bray on April 30, 2013. The Boyfriend App tells the story of a girl who, in order to win a scholarship offered by a secretly-evil global computing corporation, invents an app that makes any boy fall madly in love with her, with chaotic results.

Katharine has a BA in Film, Television and Theater from The University of Notre Dame. She lives in New York City with her family.

Find the Author: Facebook |Twitter

What Do You Look For In A Book Review? : From An Author's POV

Today as a part of the Zenn Scarlett Blog Tour we have Christian Schoon on the blog.

OK, it’s a cliché, but it’s true: most authors reading a review of their book want honesty. Anything less is really a waste of their time, and a dereliction of duty on the part of the reviewer. When does this not hold true? Maybe if the author is the reviewer’s son/daughter/spouse/BFF. But no author realistically expects a useful review from family and friends (unless said family/friend has an extraordinary capacity for telling hard truths to Authorial Ego).

Now, that being said, there’s honesty… and then there’s snark-running-at-your-tender-bits-with-a-flaming-pitchfork.  This shouldn’t need saying, but I’ll say it anyway: reviewers, if they expect to be taken seriously, shouldn’t use their reviews as private rant-platforms about issues not directly related to the author’s text. Not if they’re calling their post “a review.” If they label their post an editorial piece about why they just don't like this author's beady eyes, of course, that’s different. Pitchforks aloft and charge away.
So, we’ve established that professional objectivity and honesty are good things in reviews. Not especially shocking news, eh? Beyond these elements, I think it’s safe to say authors appreciate it when it’s apparent that the reviewer has taken the time to give some thought to the issues raised in the book and has then taken additional time to craft some illuminating responses to those issues. This seems elementary, I know. But I’ve read reviews that were so cursory and slight that they really offered no true opinion one way or the other about the perceived qualities of the story and the writing. Or else, they offered an opinion, but with nothing in the way of a supporting argument (ie, "I hate this book - it's NOT what I expected!")  Again, even this might be useful for an author as far as awareness levels for the book in question, but it’s not a “real” review, in the generally accepted sense of the term.
So, I think reviewers in general, at least the experienced ones I’ve come across, feel a sense of obligation to their readers to provide some depth of analysis re: quality of the writing, character and story, etc. Of course, that’s dependent on the sort of blog, isn’t it? It’s not fair to expect profundities about the Freudian allusions lurking in The Vampiric Zombie-Pocalypse from a blog that clearly labels its interests as “unicorns bathing in rainbows.” But, ya never know, you’d probably learn something about your zombies that never occurred to you….

Cover Reveal + Teaser: Are You Mine? by N.K. Smith

Today is a special day because it's the first day of my vacation from school (YAY!) and it's my very first cover reveal!

So now, who doesn't fancy a story of young love?

We are very lucky to have N.K. Smith today on our blog for the cover reveal of her latest novel. Everyone say hi to N.K.! :)

 Are you ready to be captivated by the story and the stunning cover made by Mae I Design and Photography and photography by Poly Mendes Photography? So now, let me present you the lovely cover of Are You Mine? ...

Title: Are You Mine?
Author: N.K. Smith
Published: June 2013-Free Yourself Press
Synopsis:

Human connection? Who needs it?

Ever since she can remember, wealthy but weary Saige Armstrong has felt different from her peers in Pechimu, New Jersey. With only one good friend to her name, she has navigated the complicated halls of high school and is now faced with the timeless question: Now what? 

Fox Harrington, a fun-loving, socially charismatic graffiti artist uses his passions to color his world exactly how he wants it. He knows exactly where his life is headed. That is, until he meets Saige. 

A summer project links the two together, making a tentative friendship bloom into romance, but despite their affection for each other, fundamental beliefs and ways of thinking threaten to destroy all they have built. 

In this tender story of young love, N.K. Smith delivers a striking tale of two people standing on the precipice of adult life.

Don't forget to add it on your TBR list! :)

    Teaser

           Before I know it, he’s really close to me. Our bodies so close they are touching. He moves his hand from my wrist, so now our palms are together, fingers interlaced. Fox’s other hand is against the small of my back. My cheek rests against his chest. I hold my breath. 

          It’s awkward at first, but as I relax into his body and allow him to move us, I can see the private dance for what it is. An exchange. I breathe in and feel his chest rise against mine. He’s giving me a little bit of his calm. I don’t know if it’s on purpose or if I’m making it all up because I’ve spent too much time talking to Val about his new-aged hippie ideas on energy, but for some reason, it doesn’t matter right now. All that matters is that I’m pressed against him in this little basement where no one can see us, and he’s holding me like I’ve never let anyone do before.

Meet the Author 

Based in the American Midwest, N.K. Smith is a Technical Writer for a Fortune 100 company. The author of the Old Wounds Series, Ghosts of Our Pasts, and My Only, she is a mother of two who finds the time to write very early in the morning when the rest of the world is still fast asleep.

An avid lover of history, art, music, books, and people, she is interested in telling stories that speak to the human condition.

Connect with N.K.
Website | Facebook | Twitter| Goodreads

Diane J. Reed Author Interview + Spring Fling Giveaway! (OPEN INT)

DIANE J. REED 

About the Author 

I write novels that are infused with enchantment, where characters dare to break through boundaries and believe in true love. I have a soft spot for artisans & outlaws of the heart, those of us who burn brightly to live each day as a gift--because it is! I'd love to hear from you, so feel free to visit my website or message me on facebook or twitter to share the whispers of your spirit.

Find the author:

Website | Amazon | Goodreads | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter

Find Robin in the Hood here:

Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook

Rachel: Hey there, Diane! :)
So, I only have one question about the book and that is...

• What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing Robin in the Hood? 

You know, as you write and see your characters interact in different situations, you get to know them more deeply. For me, the biggest surprise of Robin in the Hood is how sensitive bad-boy Creek really turned out to be—and that he prayed for help to take care of the people he loves at Turtle Shores. At one time in my life I was a teacher for adolescent youth in a correctional facility, and many of those kids had been committing crimes to help provide for their families. It broke my heart! So I wanted to write a novel that did justice to their experiences and didn't portray all juvenile delinquents as unilaterally bad.

Rachel: So now, why don't we get to know more about you, shall we? :)

• What do you think about the most? The past, the present or the future? Why?

None of the above! I'm a chronic daydreamer ever since I was a child (I used to get in trouble for that in school), so what I think about most is the interactions between my imaginary friends (the term I give my fictional characters : ). When I'm jogging out in the woods near my home, I'm always thinking about the imaginary worlds my characters live in—which is kind of a suspended-in-time, eternal present—and what they're doing there. I swear, I come up with the best scenes for my books while I'm jogging!

• What's your worst/best memory of high school and why?

Oh, I cut class a LOT in high school and was always going on great adventures with my friends. We'd go ride horses or take a bus to a great city (just like the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off). Things were much more relaxed back then—I don't think you could get away with it as easily now. We were also really good at faking excuses for the principal's office. Our tactics would never fly today.

• What do you think is your best asset?

My best asset is by FAR my imagination and creativity. I firmly believe that's what makes life magical—a creative point of view. When you allow your mind to roam freely and treat everything as potent & magical, you can't help but view life as enchanting.

• What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? And the answer to that is?

I think it would be fun to hear from authors what is the most outrageous thing they've ever done. For me, that probably involves the time I rode a mustang horse from Mexico to Canada and back. I was just out of college and it took me a year. Believe it or not, it was for a job, so I was paid to do it. Yep, I'm a true cowgirl.

...And now for the Spring Fling Giveaway!!

FOREVER ME by Thomas Amo: Review, Interview + Giveaway!

Author: Thomas Amo

Title: Forever Me

Published: October 11th 2012 by GothicTwist Publishing

Format: Kindle Edition

Website: Thomas Amo's site

Source: Received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review

Forever Me is considered YA and NA. Suggested reading age is 14+

Hannah Richards isn't your typical 16 year-old at Wichita Falls High. Fashions, trends, cosmetics and style are unimportant to her. An avid reader, guitar player, classic movie and television buff, Hannah marches to the beat of her own drum. Visible only to her Father the town Sheriff, and her two best friends. Hannah lives a simple, un-pampered life as an "Eastie."

After coming to the aide of Taylor Monroe, a popular member of the ultra snobby "Stilettos" at school, Hannah's life beings spiraling out of control. As she starts spending more time with Taylor, her best friends abandon her, after a series of misunderstandings, causing Hannah to re-invent herself.

Hannah quickly gets caught up in a life much different than the one she knows, where status, glamour, makeup, appearance and acceptance become her masters. And what of the dark secret that haunts the streets of Wichita Falls?

Can Hannah survive the lies, deceit, jealousy and rage that are now waiting for her behind every corner? Will she succumb to the pressures of popularity? Or will she be crushed under the heels of the "Stilettos"?

~High school is hard enough just being yourself, let alone being someone you're not~

My Thoughts

As what you can see from the blurb, there's this popular group of girls in Wichita Falls High called the "Stilettos" and they consist of Shelby Farrell, Courtney James, Vanessa Chezwick, Madison Winthrop and Taylor Monroe. They are your typical 'mean but popular' kind of girls in school...

...seriously, I imagined Mean Girls the movie while reading about the Stilettos. Haha!