Book Blast: The Testing

With only two weeks until The Testing's release, we want to make sure everyone knows about it! Read all about The Testing and also be sure to enter to win one of two copies of the book!

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same? The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career. Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies – trust no one. But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

The Official Website for The Testing Add on Goodreads Preorder the Book: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository Also, don't forget to download the FREE prequel story. All the details can be found here There are more goodies on The Testing website as well, such as a quiz to see if YOU would be selected for the Testing.

About Joelle Charbonneau :

Joelle Charbonneau began telling stories as an opera singer, but these days she finds her voice through writing. In addition to The Testing trilogy, she is the author of the Rebecca Robbins Mysteries and the Glee Club series. She lives near Chicago with her husband and son. When she is writing, she works as an acting and vocal coach. Visit Joelle on the Web at her Website, Facebook, and Twitter

Praise for The Testing:

“The Testing is a chilling and devious dystopian thriller that all fans of The Hunger Games will simply devour. Joelle Charbonneau writes with guts and nerve but also great compassion and heart. Highly recommended.” – Jonathan Maberry, New York Times best-selling author of Rot & Ruin and Flesh & Bone “Trained to rely on her wits, Cia must survive on her courage and trust her instincts, even when it means following her heart ever deeper into danger. A surefire favorite for dystopian fans, The Testing crackles with suspense, passion and betrayal set against a scarred and brutal world.” –Sophie Littlefield, author of Unforsaken and Hanging By A Thread. See the stunning trailer!

 

If you are interested, signed copies can be ordered through Anderson's Bookshop before June 4. Joelle Charbonneau will be having her launch party here. See Anderson's website to order! AND even cooler, for all books pre-ordered or bought for her launch party, a donation will be made to Autism Speaks. TWO people will win a copy of The Testing - Open to wherever The Book Depository ships! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Pinned Up

PINNED UP by C. Michelle

NA Contemporary Romance

Coming soon!

Readers in search of something fresh in the adult contemporary romance department will celebrate the arrival of C. Michelle’s vibrant debut novel, Pinned Up. Full of snappy dialogue, edgy humor, and a lot of heart, this fun look into the world of a modern-day pin-up model is one interesting journey. Are you ready to embark on a wild ride?
Twenty-five-year-old Nina Moretti lives a double life of sorts. She’s a victim advocate during the day and as a side gig, lives out her 1940s fetish as a pin-up model. This arrangement suits her well, as does never having a steady boyfriend. Trust is an issue that was ruined for Nina at a young age and has yet to be recovered. While she may not “do” serious relationships, she has found fulfillment in her work and hanging out with her best friend, Kade—the greatest sidekick any woman could possibly want. All is well in Nina’s hectic, but satisfying life…
That is, until she meets Josh, a stunningly handsome man who has a notorious reputation as a ladies’ man. Living in San Francisco, California, Nina has met her fair share of eligible bachelors. But there is something different about Josh, something that compels her to try and get to know him better. For his part, Josh has always been reluctant to commit to any woman, largely as a way to spite his well-meaning, but rather overbearing mother. Nina, however, sparks his interest in a way that no other woman has before. What are two people, both scared of commitment, supposed to do?
Readers will feel an array of emotions as Nina and Josh do the unthinkable—embark on a relationship together. As they navigate the pitfalls of romantic entanglement, both come to realize that their pasts are intertwined in ways that they could never imagine. Perhaps they have more in common than just their fear of relationships.

A heartfelt novel depicting modern love with a refreshing twist, Pinned Up is a must-read.

Reveal hosted by...

Book Blast: Tragic

TRAGIC: Rook and Ronin, #1
By J. A. Huss
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Published May 15, 2013
Science Future Press

Rook Walsh is TRAGIC

Because life so far – just sucks. Some girls get parents. Rook got the foster care system. Some girls get Prince Charming. Rook got an abusive frog. Some girls get lucky…

Rook got a second chance.

And she took it. Because when fate throws you a bone – you grab it with both hands and run.

Antoine Chaput knows the minute he spies Rook in his photography studio that she’s got The Look. The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.

Rook is paired up with top model, Ronin, and he’s everything her abusive ex-boyfriend wasn’t. Patient, gentle, happy, attentive, and sexy! He knows exactly what to do to make Rook blush for Antoine’s camera.

Rook’s luck changes in an instant and suddenly she’s the darling of the modeling world. It’s a dream job to go with a dream guy and all she has to do is look pretty and follow directions. But there’s always a price to pay – and Rook is about to get the bill.

New Adult Contemporary Romance *Mature Content* Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language usage

**Does contain strong language

I gather up all my clothes and stick them in the stackable washer in the closet just off the bedroom. The breeze caresses my naked limbs and gives me the chills, but I enjoy it. The goose bumps travel up my arms and spread out to my whole body. I shiver for a second and then head to the kitchen.

And stop dead in the living room.

Ronin fucking Flynn is sleeping on the couch.

What is he doing here? My eyes track to the front door and I suppose it's my fault, I left it open. There's nothing but a screen door between this apartment and the terrace. My gaze wanders back to the sleeping man. He's lying on his stomach, his one arm tucked underneath him, the other falling over the edge of the cushion, and he's shirtless.

And then I realize I'm naked.

"Shit!"

He stirs and I make a break for the bedroom. It's one thing to let him see me naked half hidden in darkness and quite another to be fully illuminated by the bright morning sunshine. I wrangle the sheet around my body and then head back to the living room, wistfully looking at the washer that contains every single article of clothing I own.

"Ronin!" I say loudly.

Nothing except a half-muffled snore from him. Lord, this man has the most perfectly chiseled and muscular back I've ever seen. Both hands pull up and go under his face, like he's blocking out the sunlight, and this gives me the perfect opportunity to study his flexing biceps. The muscles are thick and hard-looking near his shoulders. They curve down, dip into a little valley, and then climb once again.

I lean down and smell him.

"Why are you sniffing me?" he asks groggily.

"Uh—" Because you smell delicious, the inner Rook says. But luckily the outer Rook says, "I'm checking to see if you're drunk. Why are you sleeping on my couch?"

He peeks up, opening one eye in my direction, squints, and then croaks out some words. "I love your outfit." He grins, winks, and then drops his head back down into his arms.

"Are you leaving?" I ask, frustrated and confused at the same time. "I mean, why are you here?"

"I told you I'd come back with dinner. But when I got here, the lights were on and you were in bed. I only sat down for a second to think up a rational excuse to wake you up, but I guess I fell asleep." He raises his head again, grins sheepishly, and then rolls over on his back, tucks his hands behind his neck, and flashes his perfect body at me as he closes his eyes, probably confident that I'll be checking him out.

I do check him out. It's quite hard not to notice that he's got the perfect six-pack abs and that absolutely adorable fuzzy happy trail you see on a shirtless designer jeans model. Hmmmm… maybe he is that model? "You have no shirt on."

Yes, after all that gawking, I finally manage the obvious.

He opens the one eye to look at me again. "Neither do you."

Purchase your copyAvailable on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

WEBSITE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Nantucket Blue

Nantucket Blue by: Leila Howland
Expected Publication: May 7th 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Links: Goodreads | Amazon

Synopsis: For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t.

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

LEILA HOWLAND loves to read, explore L.A., and engage in funny and meaningful conversations with her
friends and family, especially her brother who calls from Washington D.C. whenever he’s waiting for the bus. A lot gets discussed in those phone calls, but they tend to end abruptly when the bus shows up. She can really cut the rug, but wishes she could sing without people covering their ears. A graduate of Georgetown University, Leila spent five years acting in New York where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. It was a lot of fun and she often talks about “getting back into it.” The closest she has come was a stint as an extra on The Young and the Restless in 2010. Leila now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two dogs. She teaches high school English and blogs for HelloGiggles. NANTUCKET BLUE is her first novel.

Tumblr / Twitter 

Nantucket Blue offers a cute summer story with a strong main character, bittersweet situations, and a romance with a twist that I absolutely loved. It's a beautiful beach setting with so much more than just a summer vacation. Nantucket Blue shows us that you may not know people as well as you thought you did, that sometimes working hard isn't so terrible, and that you can find love in the most unexpected places.

Cricket and Jules Clayton have always been super close. Cricket is almost like family to the Claytons. What's supposed to be an amazing summer in Nantucket with Jule's family and her secret crush Jay quickly spirals downwards. Now, Cricket made it to Nantucket but she has to work her butt off just to stay in town and the people she thought would be happy to see her have turned their backs on her. Refusing to go home to nothing, Cricket decides to make the most out of her situation and enjoy the surprises that await her.

With the romance in the story I absolutely adored Zack and Cricket. I loved Jay too, actually. I loved how the romance wasn't the typical the popular guy falls for the strong main girl. The romance was the type that slams you in the face when you least expect it. The type that is a hidden affair when you shouldn't have to hide love. And, mostly I absolutely love when a girl falls in love with someone who truly knows her. When the girl is actually older than the guy. Props to Howland for a non-cliche love.

Another character I have to mention is Jules. Did Jules have a perfectly good reason to withdraw herself from people... of course she did. Did she have a good reason to do a complete 180 on her best friend and act like a backstabber... no, I don't think she did. Regardless of what happens in your life, if someone is your best friend they'll always be there for you, and you shouldn't step on them for it. So for me, Jules was that character I loved to hate, she definitely stirred up the drama in the story.

Overall definitely a cute, quick read. I love that Leila Howland gave us a super strong main character who isn't afraid to do things on her own. Also that the fact that with the romance she completely went outside of most people's comfort zones and embraced it, plus she added lovely fiery scenes. Totally enjoyed the whole roller coaster of a story!

Find the review and rating here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nantucket Blue by: Leila Howland

Synopsis: For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.

Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn't.

When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.

But it’s the things Cricket hadn't counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.

A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

Thoughts: Nantucket Blue offers a cute summer story with a strong main character, bittersweet situations, and a romance with a twist that I absolutely loved. It's a beautiful beach setting with so much more than just a summer vacation. Nantucket Blue shows us that you may not know people as well as you thought you did, that sometimes working hard isn't so terrible, and that you can find love in the most unexpected places.

Cricket and Jules Clayton have always been super close. Cricket is almost like family to the Claytons. What's supposed to be an amazing summer in Nantucket with Jule's family and her secret crush Jay quickly spirals downwards. Now, Cricket made it to Nantucket but she has to work her butt off just to stay in town and the people she thought would be happy to see her have turned their backs on her. Refusing to go home to nothing, Cricket decides to make the most out of her situation and enjoy the surprises that await her.

With the romance in the story I absolutely adored Zack and Cricket. I loved Jay too, actually. I loved how the romance wasn't the typical the popular guy falls for the strong main girl. The romance was the type that slams you in the face when you least expect it. The type that is a hidden affair when you shouldn't have to hide love. And, mostly I absolutely love when a girl falls in love with someone who truly knows her. When the girl is actually older than the guy. Props to Howland for a non-cliche love.

Another character I have to mention is Jules. Did Jules have a perfectly good reason to withdraw herself from people... of course she did. Did she have a good reason to do a complete 180 on her best friend and act like a backstabber... no, I don't think she did. Regardless of what happens in your life, if someone is your best friend they'll always be there for you, and you shouldn't step on them for it. So for me, Jules was that character I loved to hate, she definitely stirred up the drama in the story.

Overall definitely a cute, quick read. I love that Leila Howland gave us a super strong main character who isn't afraid to do things on her own. Also that the fact that with the romance she completely went outside of most people's comfort zones and embraced it, plus she added lovely fiery scenes. Totally enjoyed the whole roller coaster of a story!

- 4 out of 5 Splatters -