A Book Addict's Bookshelves (Old)

Wednesday, 27 April 2016

Blog Tour + Guest Post + Giveaway - Mystique by Shari Arnold

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Mystique by Shari Arnold
Publication Date: November 17, 2015

Genre: YA Paranormal

Only Bauer Grant can pull off gorgeous while dead. But staying dead is another thing entirely. When he wakes up at his own funeral, the town of Mystique calls it a miracle, until it happens again. Something is bringing the residents of Mystique back to life, but what? Presley Caine finds herself caught up in the mystery when Bauer asks her to visit him. Presley can’t figure out why the most popular guy in school is so drawn to her. And when Bauer is kidnapped soon after, she looks to Bauer’s brooding best friend Sam, whose dad works for the powerful Mystique military base, for answers. In her quest to discover the truth, Presley’s relationship with Sam deepens, her feelings for Bauer are tested, and it becomes clear that her own mysterious past is somehow connected to these strange events. But is she strong enough to handle the truth when it is finally revealed?

Goodreads

Purchase Links:

BAM | Chapters | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

TOP TEN FAVORITE BOOKS

Because I read a lot of YA books, some of my favorites are going to be part of a series or all of a series.
These books are not in order of favorite. My mind doesn’t work that way.

Here we go:

1 SCARLET, LADY THIEF and LION HEART by A. C. Gaughen. Hands down. Best series. Ever. I will reread this book a thousand times.

2 ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins. Romance. Characters.
Stephanie. She does it so well.

3 Any book written by Sarah Dessen. I would read a grocery list by her. And I mean that in the most un-stalkerish way. If I had to choose a favorite, I would choose ALONG FOR THE RIDE because I read that the day I returned from the hospital after delivering my son. And MOON & MORE because I absolutely loved Emaline as a character.

4 REVOLUTION by Jennifer Donnelly. I got completely lost in this book. I was in France.
I was in New York. Amazing.

5 The first two books in the HUNGER GAMES series by Suzanne Collins were some of the best writing I’ve ever read. Loved them.

6 TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer. I loved this book. And I always will.

7 THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS series by Rae Carson. This is how you write a series. Loved every single one.

8 THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas. I am not currently caught up with this series but I’m three deep and when I’m reading these books nothing else creeps in. Love them.

9 I can not compile a list of favorite books without including my favorite Romance authors, Sarah Maclean and Kristan Higgins. They definitely know how to write a love story and I will read every single one.

10 WHERE THE STARS STILL SHINE by Trish Doller. This book was so many things.
Trish Doller has a way with her characters. This story was beautiful and heart-breaking at the same time. Loved it.

About the Author

Shari Arnold grew up in California and Utah but now resides in Connecticut, with her husband and two kids, where she finds it difficult to trust a beach without waves. She writes Young Adult fiction because it's her favorite. And occasionally she takes photographs.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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Tuesday, 26 April 2016

Book Blitz + Giveaway - Painting Sky by Rita Branches

Painting Sky by Rita Branches
Publication date: April 25th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Nobody ever said life was easy…
People pleaser, Jane Skylar wants nothing more than to earn her art degree, start her life, and bask in the bliss of living with her boyfriend.
But things don’t always go as planned…
Struggling with her creative side, Jane finds herself in turmoil, often confiding in her roommate – another, more talented art student, Keith Hale. Keith just so happens to be her boyfriend’s older, brooding brother. After a devastating breakup, Jane turns to Keith for comfort. But when the lines blur between roommate and lover, Jane’s life becomes more complicated than ever before.
When Keith’s past comes back to haunt him, their lives all get turned upside down, forcing the truth to surface. Now Jane must fight for what she wants–even if it hurts everyone she loves.

Goodreads / Amazon

Excerpt:

When I pulled the door open, the last person I wanted to see was sitting on a stool, sipping his morning coffee. He didn’t acknowledge me.

I poured some coffee in a random mug, since Keith was using my favorite one, and tried to reach the last package of cookies on the top shelf. I really didn’t want to use the stool in front of Keith.

What was the least humiliating decision? Trying to reach it by jumping on the counter or getting the stupid stool? I almost decided on just eating something at school when a throat being cleared sounded just behind me. I knew that, if I turned around, he
would be invading my personal space. I had no intention of letting him ruin my birthday, so I stayed put with my arms crossed over my chest.

“Were you deciding between the cookies, the canned peas, or the rice? Because I can help with either one of them, just not sure which one you get in the morning.” Keith snickered. I could smell him, and the fact that such a pleasant smell could come from
such an unpleasant person puzzled me.

I had the strong urge to turn and flip him the finger. I had never done that in my life, but could now understand why people did it. Instead, I turned slowly, thinking about how to have the upper hand this time.

I was right about the personal space: I leaned back and rested my hands behind me on the counter. He was standing so close to me that I had to look up to see his eyes.
For a second, I saw the indecision there, as if he knew he should step back.

I had to think of a witty response fast, but then I noticed he had shaved— that was where the amazing smell was coming from. He had a small cut on his throat.

Keith wasn’t smirking now; he was genuinely waiting for me to do something. I wished I could read his thoughts so I could do the exact opposite of what he was hoping for.

I quickly took the wish back. It was my birthday, after all, and we never did know when a wish would be granted. This was one I really didn’t want to come true. Hearing his words hurt enough without having to hear his thoughts, as well.

“Next time you shave, try standing an inch or two closer to the blade,” I whispered, leaning closer to his shoulder.

I was so pleased with my joke that I pondered going upstairs and writing it down. I smiled triumphantly at my quick response and did a little happy dance inside.

“Did you have to think on that one this whole time, or were you just checking me out?”

My smile faltered and then completely disappeared. That had been a good one.
Okay, I must have thought about it a little longer than I realized. Maybe I had been kind of checking him out—not in a “you’re so hot” way, but more of a “if you could just be a statue and never speak or move, I would thank the powers that be” way.

I stuck my chin out to try to appear taller. “That was a good one and you know it.” I crossed my arms again and brushed against his chest in the process.

Author Bio

Rita Branches is an independent YA (young adult) author who enjoys spending every free moment (when she´s not reading) writing emotional stories.
Visit:
http://ritabranches.wordpress.com/

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Monday, 25 April 2016

Blog Tour + Guest Post + Giveaway - There Once Were Stars by Melanie McFarlane

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There Once Were Stars by Melanie McFarlane

Publication Date: April 26, 2016

Publisher: Month9Books

Peace. Love. Order. Dome. That’s the motto that the Order has given the residents of Dome 1618 to live by. Natalia Greyes is a resident of Dome 1618, a covered city protected from the deadly radiation that has poisoned the world outside for four generations. Nat never questioned the Order, until one day she sees a stranger on the outside of the dome. Now Nat wants answers. Is there life outside the dome and if so, what has the Order been hiding from everyone?

Goodreads

Purchase Links:

TBD | iBooks

**5 Tips for Becoming a Better Writer**

When I started talking about my writing, people often asked how I got anything written between a full-time job, part-time classes, and a family.

My only answer was coffee. And more coffee.

Over time and after taking more classes, I learned 5 things that helped me with my writing.

1. Always keep writing. I know you hear that all the time, and it makes writer’s fret over hitting a particular daily word count. Frankly, people’s lives are busy and can’t always fit in writing during bursts of inspiration (we don’t all get to write full-time). So I approach this a little different, “Always think about your writing.” Whether it’s a current WIP or one you have tucked away, keep it in the back of your mind. It’s okay to have a million book ideas (well, a million is a little excessive). When working on a manuscript, I’ve always got 15+ more unfinished WIPS (works-in-progress), ranging from a one paragraph summary, upwards to 10,000 words+. This is how I avoid writer’s block. Always keep writing…whether it’s in your mind or on paper.

2. Focus. Focus. Focus. I wish someone told me this in the beginning. I was in my second year of writing, and was practically going crazy working on the 15 WIPs I mentioned above. On top of it I was taking classes (while working full-time in a non-writing job), and trying to attend every writing workshop I could get my hands on. I met with the current Writer-in-Residence at the time in our area, and asked how he gets one project done. Focus. He said every writer has a ton of ideas, but focusing and getting them done one at a time is what gets you closer to publication. Every time I’m overwhelmed with all the story ideas that pop in my head, I remember this and make myself stay on task.

3. Patience. Oh the joy of patience. I remember a former co-worker telling me a story about her granddaughter, when a new baby came into the family. “But Grandma,” she exclaimed, “what is this patience thing, anyways.” My greatest fault is in my anxiousness and inability to wait things out. I always want to submit my manuscript before it’s been completely polished or start getting reviews before the final edits are done. Wait. Be patient. Once your book is in print you can’t take it back. Never forget this.

4. Look for the extraordinary in the ordinary. When I started writing I was constantly overwhelming my manuscript with the little details. The more time I spent learning about writing through workshops and classes, and reading published novels in my genre, I realized that the great novels are about the little things, not little details. Turning something simple into something wonderful. I know this sounds vague…but when you think about it while looking through your story it will start to make sense.

5. And finally, never stop learning or writing. Whether it’s one tiny lesson, or an entire book of them, every little bit you absorb will make you a better writer. Join your local writer’s guild, go to conferences, and take a continuing education class at a university. Every step you take helps you improve. Fellow writer’s aren’t your competition (tell me one person who reads only one author). Use the resources out there as a source of support – a good group treated right will return the favour.

No matter what happens in my writing career, I keep in mind why I write: because I love to.

About the Author

Whether it’s uncovering the corruption of the future, or traveling to other worlds to save the universe, Melanie McFarlane jumps in with both hands on her keyboard. Though she can be found obsessing over zombies and orcs from time to time, Melanie has focused her powers on her upcoming YA trilogy: THERE ONCE WERE STARS and her YA urban fantasy series: SUMMONER RISING.