Royally Lost Blog Tour: Review + Excerpt

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Royally Lost by Angie Stanton. After you check out my review and an excerpt, you should check out some of the other awesome blogs taking part in this tour. The full schedule is here! 

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Review

This book has all things I love: traveling, royalty and well...does there need to be more? I love this cover, I love the concept and was so excited for a fun jaunt around Europe with a beautiful prince in tow. As a fan of movies like The Prince and Me and more recently, books like Suddenly Royal, this was right up my alley.

This is a great, light book that would be great company on a trip to the beach or as you travel across Europe. I can't help but enjoy myself when books take me to different places. And there's always something I completely connect with when a main character is traveling for the first time. It's always an adjustment and a little scary - but you have to go through that before it gets good. And with this book - it does just that. The prince stuff is all great - he's adorable and wonderful and all things you want your prince to be. But it's really when Becca has to stand on her own and how she grows into who she is because of her travels that I really came to adore this book.

That said, I also have to throw in a word about Becca's brother Dylan. I had to include the excerpt with him, because he's just the best. He may be the brightest character in this book. I love his balance of annoying brother and really great ally. He was always helping Becca in ways that were really adorable I kind of want to read his story.

If you're looking for a read to get you in the mood for summer, this is a great place to start. Becca starts out a little whiny and some of the dialog is a little too unnatural, but it grows out of that as Becca comes into herself. I love where she ends up by the end. 

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Excerpt

"So how was your date with Nikolai?"

Becca glared at her brother, Dylan.

"Uh-oh. Did he stand you up?" Dylan held a rolled-up magazine. 

She frowned, frustrated that she'd been so easily played. "Yeah, you could say that."

"This might explain why." Dylan held the magazine under her face, forcing her to look at the glossy picture of a guy who looked exactly like Nikolai. 

She took the magazine and examined it closer. Her breath caught in her throat. "That's Nickolai!"

She'd recognize him anywhere. She couldn't read the foreign headline, but it ended with an exclamation point. "Dylan where did you find this?"

He grimaced and shrugged. "It was at every newspaper stand I saw today."

"Why is he on the cover? Did he do something wrong?" She paged through the magazine, holding her breath. Confusion turned to shock when she saw a two-page spread filled with pictures of Nikolai. Nikolai at the beach; a picture of him playing polo; a picture of him in a tuxedo with a girl wearing a glittering gown. Then Becca's eyes landed on a formal picture of Nikolai in uniform, with a sword at his belt, standing next to a young girl. A stern man and austere woman sat in gilded chairs; both adults wore crowns. 

Her jaw dropped open. 

"Why is Nikolai in that picture with people wearing crowns? Who is he?" she asked. Her heart pumped so fast she could feel the blood pulse through her temples. "And why did he lie about his identity?"

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About the Book

Author: Angie Stanton

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: May 6, 2014

Summary: Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.

Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.

When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?

You can order a SIGNED copy from Angie's local bookstore (support your indies!!) here!

Or else there's: Amazon :: B&N :: Goodreads

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About the Author

Angie Stanton never planned on writing books; she wanted to be a Rockette. However, growing up in rural Wisconsin, with her brothers' 4-H pigs as pets, dance didn't work out. Instead she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head, she began to write them down, and the rest is history.

Angie is the author of six books including Royally Lost, Rock and a Hard Place, and Snapshot. She graduated with a Journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin, and is a proud double finalist of the National Readers Choice Awards for Love 'em or Leave 'em.

Find Angie Online: Website :: Twitter :: Facebook

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Giveaway

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Ask Me Blog Tour: Guest Post

 

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley. I'm excited to have Kimberly on the blog today with a guest post!

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Guest Post

ASK ME is not a funny book. That might seem like an obvious thing, as it’s billed as a “dark, paranormal mystery” and even “Paranormal gets a Stephen King makeover” (which, let me just say right now that I never ever dreamed one of my books would be mentioned in the same paragraph as Stephen King), but it kind of freaks me out a bit. All of my other books have been funny. I mean, I’ve written about a girl who talks to cats…in particular, a pink cat named Rufus Brutus the Third. Sure, there’s danger in Cat Girl’s Day Off, but a literal horde of cats come to the rescue.

There are no cats in ASK ME and no overt jokes. Of course, it wouldn’t be me if there weren’t some funny bits, but in this case, it all takes the form of cringe worthy embarrassment for the main character, Aria. After all, when you’re an Oracle that has to answer every question you hear with the truth (or some cryptic variation thereof), you’re bound to say some pretty embarrassing things. If Aria were to come to life, I’m pretty sure she’d want to slap me for all the things I put her through.

So, why does this make me nervous? People write non-funny books all the time, right? You know, like every Nicholas Sparks book ever.

Well, I can’t help but wonder how my current fans will react to something so entirely different. And, when you’re known for one thing (wacky, quirky, fairly silly books), people often want to pigeonhole you and keep you in that box. On the other hand, people who don’t read funny stuff and have never read my other books might take a chance on me now. That’s great, but still slightly terrifying. All these NEW people are going to read MY book and compare me to, oh, I don’t know, STEPHEN KING.

Talk about terrifying.

The thing is, I had a lot of fun writing ASK ME. Not the same kind of fun I had writing my other books (yes, I do make myself laugh out loud sometimes while writing…there are probably a few baristas that think I’m pretty strange…), but fun nonetheless. It’s a different experience writing dark, trying to make the pulse pound, rather than the giggles fly. Humor, in some ways, is a more cerebral thing to write, whereas writing ASK ME was more visceral.

I let myself delve into deeper, more emotional places while writing. And, since the book is set in a fictional small town in Florida much like the one I grew up in, I was able to draw on my own sense memory and really, truly try to connect Aria to where she was. The setting really resonated for me…and I hope it resonates for readers as well.

So, even though ASK ME isn’t funny and probably won’t make you laugh out loud, I hope it hits a chord deep inside you instead. I hope you feel the book like I did writing it.

After all, you can always have a good laugh later when you need to shake off the cobwebs and climb back into the real world, right?

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About the Book

Ask Aria Morse anything, and she must answer with the truth. Yet she rarely understands the cryptic words she‘s compelled to utter. Blessed—or cursed—with the power of an Oracle who cannot decipher her own predictions, she does her best to avoid anyone and everyone.

But Aria can no longer hide when Jade, one of the few girls at school who ever showed her any kindness, disappears. Any time Aria overhears a question about Jade, she inadvertently reveals something new, a clue or hint as to why Jade vanished. But like stray pieces from different puzzles, her words never present a clear picture.

Then there’s Alex, damaged and dangerous, but the first person other than Jade to stand up for her. And Will, who offers a bond that seems impossible for a girl who’s always been alone. Both were involved with Jade. Aria may be the only one who can find out what happened, but the closer she gets to solving the crime, the more she becomes a target. Not everyone wants the truth to come out.

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About the Author

Kimberly Pauley is the award-winning author of Sucks to Be Me, which was honored on the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list, and a paranormal mystery starring an oracle, called Ask Me. Born in California, she has lived everywhere from Florida to Chicago and has now gone international to live in London with her husband and son. She is also the founder of YA Books Central, one of the first and largest teen book websites in the world. Visit her online at www.kimberlypauley.com

Find Kimberly Online: Website :: Twitter :: Facebook :: Soho Teen

Excerpt Reveal: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

 Ah! You guys know how much I love Cora Carmack, yes? Well, I do and I'm so excited to share an amazing excerpt from her new book, coming in May. Which, did I mention, centers around college football? Yes, please. Check out the excerpt and let me know what you think! 

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About the Book

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

Pre-order Links: Amazon :: Barnes and Noble

Add to Goodreads

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Excerpt

Excerpt Reveal: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack by WilliamMorrowBooks

Or you can find it here.

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About the Author

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Find Cora Online: Website :: Twitter :: Facebook :: Goodreads

Blog Tour: Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert, organized by YA Bound Blog Tours. Check out my review, enter the giveaway and then check out the other stops on the tour here! 

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Review

The best part about this book is that it's exactly like watching a rom-com, except you're reading so you get so much more. I've always been a sucker for the First Daughter and Catching Liberty kind of movies and this reminded me a lot of that. It's just a fun story about growing up and finding your own voice. Plus, there's not only an awesome romance, but a great friendship as well.

The book just dove right into the developing relationship between Charlotte and Mason, which was a little different. I like that it immediately threw off what I've come to expect from NA novels. It wasn't a meet-cute kind of situation and it wasn't suppressed feelings because of a dark past kind of thing. It was two people who liked each other just going all out. Until Charlotte goes home after Spring Break and back to real life. The way Charlotte and Mason meet up again is a little too coincidental, but for what this book is, it's easy to roll with.

I think Charlotte's relationship with her mother is really well done. It's a smothering and demanding relationship, but it isn't too crazy. I mostly love that it sets up Charlotte to have this kind of awesome secret life, which includes a fantastic friend and then, of course, Mason. It was fun to watch Charlotte's secret life. And Mason is definitely swoon-worthy. For what he goes through to be with Charlotte, he has to be the most patient and understanding dude ever. But that's why it's easy to love him.

Playing Pretend is a quick read, but it has the smart rom-com thing going for it. Basically I love Juliana Haygert, and she's proven herself with urban fantasy in her Everlast Trilogy, with darker contemporary in Breaking the Reins, and now with the sweeter side of contemporary in Playing Pretend. I'd definitely recommend her for anything you're craving in the new adult field. 

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About Playing Pretend

Playing Pretend

by Juliana Haygert

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Word Count: 65,000Release date: March 2014

Cover: Berto Designs

As the Governor’s daughter, Charlotte McClain is an expert in playing pretend. High society, the men her mother shoves in her direction and a Pre-Law major are all a part of her perfect pretense. But when she pretends to be a nobody during Spring Break, she meets someone who rocks her world.

Mason Rowell knows heartbreak and Spring Break don’t mesh well, so he allows the mysterious Charlotte to seduce him. What should have been a fling, results in something deeper. After Spring Break has long since passed, he moves to Washington to pursue his graduate degree, but what he never expected to find living among the rich and pompous, was the girl who gave him the strength to change and the desire to start anew.

When the guy Charlotte can’t forget goes from a sensual memory to temptation in the flesh, her facade is put to the test. If she surrenders to his charms, she risks ruining her mother’s perfect career and master plan. Playing pretend is what Charlotte does best, but how long can she pretend she doesn't love the man who made her proud of her true self?

**A light, sexy NA Contemporary Romance**

Book Links: Amazon :: B&N :: Kobo :: iBooks :: Createspace :: Goodreads

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About the Author

New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Author Links: Website :: Blog :: Twitter :: Facebook :: Goodreads :: Pinterest

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Giveaway 

 RULES AND RESTRICTIONS: 

Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 13 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond  or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

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Blog Tour Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

Release Day Launch: Best Kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine

I'm extremely excited to participate in spreading the word about Chelsea Fine's BEST KIND OF BROKEN! BEST KIND OF BROKEN is a New Adult contemporary romance and is the first book in the Finding Fate Series. It's available TODAY so after reading these hot teasers and entering the giveaway be sure to go out and grab your copy!!

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About the Book

SOMETIMES MOVING ON MEANS MOVING IN 

Pixie Marshall wishes every day she could turn back time and fix the past. But she can't. And the damage is done. She's hoping that a summer of free room and board working with her aunt at the Willow Inn will help her forget. Except there's a problem: the resident handyman is none other than Levi Andrews. The handsome quarterback was once her friend-and maybe more--until everything changed in a life-shattering instant. She was hoping to avoid him, possibly forever. Now he's right down the hall and stirring up feelings Pixie thought she'd long buried . . . 

Levi can't believe he's living with the one person who holds all his painful memories. More than anything he wants to make things right, but a simple "sorry" won't suffice--not when the tragedy that scarred them was his fault. Levi knows Pixie's better off without him, but every part of him screams to touch her, protect her, wrap her in his arms, and kiss away the pain. Yet even though she's so close, Pixie's heart seems more unreachable than ever. Seeing those stunning green eyes again has made one thing perfectly clear--he can't live without her.  

"By turns humorous and heartbreaking, Best Kind Of Broken has become one of my favorites!" --- CORA CARMACK, New York Times bestselling author of Losing It.  

"You'll fall for Pixie and Levi, just like I did!" --- JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT (J. Lynn), #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wait For You 

"Tangled with friendship, history and heartbreak--not to mention a huge dose of humor--Chelsea Fine's New Adult novel is not to be missed! Beyond an incredibly HOT read, Pixie and Levi's longing for each other will have you rooting for them till the very end." --- JAY CROWNOVER, New York Times bestselling author of Rule 

"This book destroyed me. Tore me into little tiny pieces. But somehow with lots of laughs and some very steamy times, Chelsea put me back together again! Chelsea Fine's style is witty, visceral and fresh. All I wanted to do was crawl inside this book and live with the characters. And now all I want is MORE." --- CHELSEA M. CAMERON, New York Times bestselling author of My Favorite Mistake 

"Sandwiched between laugh out loud moments and some serious heat, Best Kind of Broken is an unforgettable story of loss and forgiveness that will leave your heart aching." --- LISA DESROCHERS, USA Today bestselling author of A Little Too Far 

  Book Links: Amazon :: Barnes and Noble :: Goodreads  

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Excerpt 

Levi is so distracting. His arms are all raised, and his shoulders are all broad, and he’s fixing crap, and it’s just…it’s just…annoying.

With a huff and a puff and some choice words in my head, I grab my sliced bell peppers and force my feet to the stove. I throw the vegetables into a frying pan, grab a wooden spoon, and ignore Levi’s close proximity.

My body hums.

I ignore that too.

I steal a glance in his direction and watch as the corded muscles in his forearm flex as he unscrews something on the fire alarm box. Why does he have so many muscles in his forearm? That can’t be healthy.

I drop my eyes to the frying pan and focus on bell peppers, because bell peppers are interesting and they don’t have backs the size of Alaska or copious amounts of forearm muscles.

The forearm muscles that I’m not thinking about lightly brush my shoulder and the humming inside my body knots together and zips around like a bumblebee on crack.

I casually turn down the heat on the stove, like that’s the reason I’m suddenly a human vibrator, and go back to stirring. Levi goes back to screwing.

Bell peppers.

I’m thinking about bell peppers.

He brushes against me again, except this time his forearm grazes my breast and my body immediately goes wild like I’m some love-starved teenager and the humming dives low in my belly and the stove gets hotter and my breaths get shallow and suddenly bell peppers are the sexiest vegetable on earth.

From the corner of my eye, I catch his Adam’s apple bobbing with a nervous swallow, which can only mean one thing. The boob brush was an accident.

Well crap.

If he had been trying to cop a feel with his Hulkish forearm, I could have responded with some kind of snarky “you’re a pervert” comment. But it wasn’t on purpose and somehow that makes it sexier and now the cracked-out bumblebee is buzzing in my nether regions and my hands are starting to tingle and why the HELL is this stove so hot?

I turn the burner down another notch and take a slow, deep breath. I have a boyfriend. A great boyfriend. So this sexual frustration I feel around Levi is nothing to get my bee-loving panties in a bunch about. I just need to calm down.

Levi lowers his arm for a moment, his eyes still on the alarm, and stretches his neck.

Ah, the neck stretch. The universal sign of stress. Well at least I’m not alone in my frustration. My hot, distracting, pants-are-so-inconvenient frustration.

Wait, what?

Who said anything about pants? I am NOT thinking about pants—or lack thereof. Damn you, bell peppers!

I toss the wooden spoon to the side and move back to the counter where the threat of being turned on by a handyman or, you know, a sautéed vegetable is much less severe.

I bite back a groan. What was I thinking, living under the same roof as Levi? There’s no way I’ll survive the summer.

Hell, I can barely survive breakfast.

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About Chelsea Fine

  Chelsea lives in Phoenix, Arizona where she spends most of her time writing stories, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs. She’s ridiculously bad at doing dishes and claims to be allergic to laundry. Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks. She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete lack of skill in the kitchen. 

Find Chelsea Online: Website :: Facebook :: Twitter :: YouTube :: Instagram :: Goodreads 

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Giveaway

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