Kickbutt Characters Blog Hop (INT)-EMERALD CITY

Welcome to this stop on the Kick Butt Characters Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer and co-hosted by Good Choice Reading. Here you have a chance to win an ecopy of Alicia Leppert's EMERALD CITY. Check out my review and an interview here.

Olivia Tate is a broken shell of a girl haunted by the tragic events that fill her past. She has closed herself off from the world, each day grasping at something—anything—to live for. Convinced there will never be a way out, she seeks solace in the depths of her medicine cabinet. When she wakes up days later in the hospital she is introduced to Jude, the quiet stranger responsible for saving her life. She never could have guessed then that her mysterious rescuer would end up saving her life a second time, while simultaneously turning her world upside down. A modern-day romance with a twist, Emerald City has a little bit of something for everyone!

It's easy to enter:

Mandatory

• Follow me via Networked Blogs and/or GFC. Leave a comment telling me which you did as well as an email address to contact you if you win

Optional

• Follow Alicia on Twitter, here. Leave a comment telling me you did so
• Follow me on Twitter, here. Leave a comment
• Spread the word and tell me how!

It is in your best interest to leave seperate comments. Random.org will choose the winner. Please enter by midnight on the 29th, and Thanks for stopping by!

Emerald City Blog Tour & Book Review

EMERALD CITY by Alicia Leppart. I have to say, EMERALD CITY sucked me in from the first page. It had my mind whirling with what could have possible happened to Olivia. When Jude walked into the picture I found myself intrigued with him as well. Alicia was able to weave a story full of mystery and intrigue that kept me wanting to read until the last page. However, I don't think I'm happy with the ending. It felt open ended. This is a book that I can recommend for just about anyone. Stay tuned for an ebook giveaway coming soon! (Open internationally)

:):):):)

Olivia Tate is a broken shell of a girl haunted by the tragic events that fill her past. She has closed herself off from the world, each day grasping at something—anything—to live for. Convinced there will never be a way out, she seeks solace in the depths of her medicine cabinet. When she wakes up days later in the hospital she is introduced to Jude, the quiet stranger responsible for saving her life. She never could have guessed then that her mysterious rescuer would end up saving her life a second time, while simultaneously turning her world upside down. A modern-day romance with a twist, Emerald City has a little bit of something for everyone!

What made you decide to become a writer?

I have always loved writing, my entire life. There's something so freeing about being able to put your thoughts on paper and create lives, worlds, stories. The possibilities are endless and there are no boundaries. I love that. 
Who inspires you?
There are so many people, but especially writers who had a spark of a thought or dream and turned it into a worldwide phenomenon, like Stephenie Meyer and J.K. Rowling. Writers who didn't begin writing with the intent of reaching around the entire globe, but who accomplished it nonetheless. That is incredibly inspiring to me.

What would you like your readers to get out of your writing?
Mostly I just want my readers to feel something, anything. I write hoping that those who read it will feel whatever emotions my characters are feeling, and if that happens, then I've succeeded. Writing is a very intense, emotional thing for me, and I hope beyond hope that comes across to my readers.

Where did this idea come from?
The idea for Emerald City came after months of failed book attempts and one night of serious brainstorming. I always knew it would be a romance, but the rest of the story, specifically the fantasy aspect, came to me one night like a light bulb suddenly turning on. (I know, cliche.) The minute I thought of it, I knew it was my story.

Who was your favorite character to develop?
Hands down, Olivia. I think because I wrote her so much like myself, I was very intimately connected with her character. It was a little bit of a personal journey I went through writing her transformation from so deeply troubled, to finding happiness and a sense of self-worth. She's like the second daughter I never had! Or maybe my twin, separated at birth.

Any advice for aspiring authors?
Write for yourself, because you love it. Don't become so consumed with thoughts of being published that you lose sight of why you write in the first place. Write about what you love, what you're passionate about, and don't give up. If you love it, someone eventually will too.

What can we expect next from you?
Definitely a sequel to Emerald City, which I am in the beginning stages of developing. There will most likely be one or two more books in the series after that, but I haven't decided exactly how many. All I know is Jude and Olivia's story is not over yet!
Where can we purchase your book?
Right now it's available for pre-order from amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and target.com, to name a few. As far as after its release on April 10th, I'm not sure which stores it will be available in yet.

THANKS ALICIA!

Stay tuned for an EMERALD CITY giveaway tomorrow!

Everlasting--Book Buzzin'

I've loved this series. Here's the latest addition to it. EVERLASTING by Elizabeth Chandler.

There’s always a price to pay for love. The second book in an all-new arc of the New York Times bestselling Kissed by an Angel series!

Ivy should be ecstatic that her formerly dead boyfriend Tristan is back on earth with her, but the life of a fallen angel is never easy. Tristan has been cast down in the body of a murderer, and the police are after him. Now, there’s only one way that he and Ivy can be together: They must clear Tristan of the murder.

But when it becomes evident that there are darker forces at work—that Tristan and Ivy are still paying the price for Ivy’s miraculous survival of her car crash—the star-crossed lovers have more at stake than ever before. And one of them may not be alive much longer.... 

Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop (US) 3 winners

Welcome to the Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer. There will be 3 winners on my blog. You can win one of these three books.

Simply . . .

• Make sure you're a follower of my blog. Leave me a comment telling me which book you would like 1, 2 & 3 if you win. Please leave an email address to contact you.
• An extra entry will be given if you spread the word. Make sure to leave a comment telling me you've done so. Thanks!

Winners will be chosen by Random.org. Leave your comments by midnight on the 25th. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Cleaning!

Lucky Leprachon Giveaway Hop(Int) 2 winners-Outer Edge of Heaven

Welcome to the Lucky Leprachon Giveaway hop, hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer and co-hosted by Author Cindy Thomas and Books Complete Me. Thanks for stopping by. On my blog Jacyln has generously donated a hard copy and an ecopy of her book THE OUTER EDGE OF HEAVEN, so there will be 2 winners (1 US winner and 1 international)! Take a look at my review and interview with Jacyln here.

Montana truly is heavenly. Especially those handsome cowboys.
Her parents want a clout wielding attorney. She just wants to teach kindergarten. When her “all-powerful” parents actually choose her future husband, -a divorce lawyer named Elroy, Charlie opts out and heads for Big Sky Country to work on a sprawling ranch in the heart of the Montana Rockies. Filled with colorful characters of all kinds, a horse of her own, and one extremely attractive rancher, it makes for a summer never to be forgotten. Once again, Jaclyn M. Hawkes spins a tale filled with a deft mix of humor, romance, and tension that will leave you wishing that she’d kept on writing.

It's easy to enter. Simply . . .


Mandatory:

• Follow this blog via GFC and/or Networked Blogs. Leave me a comment telling me which you'd like to enter, US or International. Make sure I have a way to contact you!

Optional

• Friend Jacyln on FB. Leave me a comment please.
• Follow me on Twitter.
• Spread the word.

Please enter by midnight on the 22nd. It's in your best interest to leave seperate comments. Thanks for stopping by! Now check out the other blogs in the hop.

Cobble Cavern--Blog Tour, Review, and interview

COBBLE CAVERN by Erik Olsen.


Welcome to this stop for the COBBLE CAVERN blog tour, hosted by Cedar Fort Books. This middle grade read was quite fun. I enjoyed the characters and the idea is very creative. As a fan of Ireland (it's on my list to visit someday), it was fun to get a creative/fantasy side to it. My only beef with the story was it took to long to get to the cavern. Once they were there, the story picked up and moved at a more comfortable pace. I understand the world building in it, but for me it was just slow to start off with. I am curious about the next book in the series and I can recommend it to any and everyone out there that loves a good adventure.

:):):)

What starts out to be a fun field trip to Ireland for Flin and his school debate team turns into a life changing adventure when their bus ends up in an earthquake. Flin and his teammates get swallowed deep into the earth and become trapped under the ocean inside a clear dome where they discover an unknown civilization. Now they must fight their way back to the surface if they ever want to see home again. Join Flin and his classmates on a journey of a lifetime in this thrilling adventure story.


Check out Erik on FB, here and enjoy his interview!

What made you decide to become a writer? 

Good question, no, great question! I really can’t say I always wanted to be a writer. The truth be told, one day, in the middle of the day, I had this, so I thought amazing dream that I just had to write down. One thing led to another and the dream’s now a series of books called, “Flin’s Destiny”.

Who inspires you? 

My family mostly, and then there’s the kids that read my books and ask when the next book is going to be coming out. They have so much energy and excitement for what might happen next that it helps to fuel me.

What would you like your readers to get out of your writing? 

That we, by our actions and deeds, truly become our own destiny. We, through life’s experiences and challenges by our choices are the ones who create ourselves and where we will ultimately end up.

Where did this idea come from? 

I almost feel I can’t take full credit for it, because it was the most surreal dream I have ever had. And I must say, a crucial time in my life as well. 

Who was your favorite character to develop? 

Another great question, and this may seem odd, but Mr. Sump. Somehow early on he added a little zip to the book.

Any advice for aspiring authors? 

Don’t worry about the beginning or the end of your story; if you have any desire to write and a great story within you that needs to be told, just start tapping at the keys and the story will take care of itself.

What can we expect next from you? 

Well, “Garden of the Lost Souls,” is the second book in the series and comes out in July, so that will be next. But, I’ve already written four of the books in the series, and am near the end of the concluding book, book five.

Where can we purchase your book? 

Thanks for asking. To my best knowledge, Deseret Book, Seagull Book, Barnes & Noble, and Costco. I believe the first book, “Cobble Cavern” will be out sometime around April 10^th.

THANK YOU, ERIK!

Outer Edge of Heaven Book Review and Interview

THE OUTER EDGE OF HEAVEN by Jaclyn M. Hawkes. This was an enjoyable read. It took me away to a different place that I've always wanted to experience. The life of a cowboy has always drawn me. I liked the relationships that were developed and the humor between the best friends. It is a clean read that I can recommend for anyone.

:):):)

Montana truly is heavenly. Especially those handsome cowboys.
Her parents want a clout wielding attorney. She just wants to teach kindergarten. When her “all-powerful” parents actually choose her future husband, -a divorce lawyer named Elroy, Charlie opts out and heads for Big Sky Country to work on a sprawling ranch in the heart of the Montana Rockies. Filled with colorful characters of all kinds, a horse of her own, and one extremely attractive rancher, it makes for a summer never to be forgotten. Once again, Jaclyn M. Hawkes spins a tale filled with a deft mix of humor, romance, and tension that will leave you wishing that she’d kept on writing.


What made you decide to become a writer?
What made me decide to become a writer?  Who knows?  Such a boring answer sorry, but one day I just decided to put some of my thoughts down on paper.


Who inspires you?
Who inspires me?  Tons of people inspire me!  From your George Washingtons right down to my sweet neighbor who keeps on swimming in spite of a ton of personal set backs.  I especially respect the "Unsung Heros".  Those around us who quietly go about doing truly important things that are often forgotten in our culture.  You know, the mom's who make dinner every night, knowing that it's vital to their families, the teachers who keep on teaching in spite of the lack of pay or thanks.  Those kinds of people.
I'm also inspired by those who go for it in life, often in the face of the dream stealers. I hope that I can grow up to be like those guys and do important things, even in the middle of the stuff of life.


What would you like your readers to get out of your book?
I would like my readers to get a bit of an uplift from my books.  A mini oil change so that they can get back out there and put in another 3000 miles.  And I'd like to help people to smile a little more.  To realize that it's sometimes the little things that make life great.  I’d like to be a happifier-at-large.


Where did the idea for this book come from?
I hope that idea came from God.  If not, at least some uplift can't hurt.


Who was your favorite character to develop?
My favorite character to develop in The Outer Edge of Heaven was Luke.  He really did seem delicious and so reassuring.  Life is short.  We need more men who are rocks we can lean on.


Do you have any advice for writers?
My advice for aspiring authors?  The same as my advice for aspiring anythings.  Go for it!  Do some homework, and then dive in with a passion!  Don't listen to the dreamstealers.  Don't be "more realistic".  Be more enthusiastic.  And when you crash and burn, get up and dust off and try again.  There is a huge shortage of passion in this world.


What can we expect next from you?
My next book is coming out in February.  Called The Most Important Catch, it's a great story!  It's contemporary, set in North Carolina, it's a love story with a bit of suspense.  Some humor.  And another strong, dynamic hero and quirky, intrepid heroine.  I hope my readers will love it!


Where can we get your book?
You can purchase my book here   www.jaclynmhawkes.com

Thanks for joining us Jacyln! Stay tuned for a book giveaway in a couple of days.