Tuesday Teaser: Easy -- Tammara Webber

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: 

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

For Today's Teaser Tuesdays, I've chosen Easy by Tammara Webber (Amazon|GoodReads), though technically I finished it yesterday. It's an excellent New Adult contrary romance, with a good slice of drama. I downloaded the sample on Saturday, and was hooked. After reading just five pages, I had to finish it, and did so in little over a weekend. 

Here's the synopsis: A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all? When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life. Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. He works at the coffee shop in the student center. He shows up at a downtown club, disappearing after several dances that leave her on fire. Her friends launch Operation Bad Boy Phase, and nominate Lucas to be the perfect rebound. When the would-be rapist turns stalker, spreading rumors that they've hooked up, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas proves supportive and protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.

And here's the two sentence teaser: “Well, sometimes it seems like we’re flirting. And once, he said Kennedy was a moron.” 

If you're thinking of checking it out, or any other book you've had your eye on recently, remember I'm hosting a £15 Amazon Voucher giveaway that ends tomorrow! Don't miss out! 

What Was Your Childhood Monster? Blogfest

In honour of the release of Christine Rains' new paranormal romance novella, FEARLESS, which came out on August 7^th  and is available via Smashwords, Christine is hosting the What Was Your Childhood Monster? Blogfest.

Here's what Christine has to say about the fest:

One of my favorite parts of writing the story was creating monsters spawned from children's imaginations. Some of them are silly, but there's no rhyme or reason to a child's fears.

For this blogfest, all you need to do is write about your childhood monster. Did you have a beast living under your bed? Or was the scary clown in your closet?

So, what was my childhood monster?

While in adulthood I have a fear of clowns, thanks to Pennywise the clown *shudders*, as a child I was actually scared of aliens!!

Growing up, me, my sister and my dad often listened to Jeff Wayne's War of theWorlds in the car. 

While I was enthralled by the music, intrigued by the concept and utterly in love with David Essex's Artilleryman, the aliens – and most of all – their tripod space crafts and heat ray terrified me. 

The slow build up, the reveal of the alien as it came out of the craft, the whistling sound that stayed in your head for weeks, and worst of all, the noise of that damn heat ray, went right to my soul.

On one occasion, I borrowed the cassette off my dad, but was too scared to listen to it on my own, and it remained untouched on my window ledge until the following weekend, when I saw my dad again.

Even today, I still get creeped out when listening to War of the Worlds and I think it's responsible my dislike for mechs in sci-fi films, TV shows and books. As well as being the inspiration behind an idea for one of my stories, in which forty tons of mobile metal machinery, called The Harvesters, hunt down the people of the slums, and if they catch you will turn you into robots like themselves .

Thanks for reading, I hope you liked seeing a little snippet of my childhood monster, and I can't wait to read yours … unless it involves more alien or clowns!

And remember to check out FEARLESS on Smashwords!

Buccaneer Blogfest: Week Three, Day Nine

 

I'm back again with day nine of the month long Buccaneer Blogfest hosted by Sharon Bayliss and Courtney Young.

Before I get started, first I'd like to thank everyone who commented on Wednesday's post. The continued support and words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.

   

Reading: July 27 - Recommend or review a book of choice. Tell the interwebz why you love it!

 

  

I've been waiting for this, because I've so excited to talk about Kiersten White's Paranormalcy series, the third instalment of which was released on July 24th in the US and will be out on August 2nd in the UK.

Before I read the Paranormalcy series I, wrongly, assumed that all paranormal romances were like Twilight, and lacked compelling characters or substance. Kiersten White proved me wrong. The Paranormalcy series is what paranormal romances should be like.

Evie, the protagonist, is compelling. She's independent, while still vulnerable. Sassy, while still caring, and full of life. Her teen voice, which could have become annoying, is actually hilarious and one of the aspects that really drew me in to the series. I love how she says "bleep" instead of swearing.

The boys … oh the boys are something else. While there is a triangle, of sorts, it isn't contrived. Evie isn't flip-flopping between the two in an annoying manner. Her love interest, Lend, is an exceptional typical guy. I won't reveal what his deal is, but he manages to couple the paranormal with the normal. He goes to college, he has lab work to do, they talk about prom. While her ex, Reth, is the bad boy you love to hate, and you know if you just scratch the surface there's a lot of depth and mystery there.

Coupling the normal with paranormal is actually a huge part of the series, and while Evie slays vamps, she still has to go to class and do her homework. Along with the fantastical elements, there's something really releatable about a story of a girl who just wants to fit in, find her place in the world and have a normal life. I think we've all been in that position.

The "monsters" are thrilling, and it's clear Kiersten White knows her stuff. My particular favourites are the vampires, who aren't glamorous, dazzling creatures of the night, but in fact walking corpses under their Glamours. 

Each book is full of twists and turns, and the endings were never obvious, while still been successfully set up for. They left you guessing what happened next, and wanting more, while still offering a sense of completion.

All these reasons, a many more – fantastic supporting characters, a fully realized thought out world (including the concept of the International Paranormal Containment Agency) – are why the Paranormalcy series is one of my favourite young adult urban fantasy series.
 

You can buy the books here: Paranormalcy | Supernaturally | Endlessly

Buccaneer Blogfest: Week Three, Day Seven

 

I'm back again with day seven of the month long Buccaneer Blogfest hosted by Sharon Bayliss and Courtney Young. 

Before I get started, first I'd like to thank everyone who commented on Friday'spost. The continued support and words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.

This week, the blog fest is dedicated to what we're reading, our favourite books/ authors, and any recommendation we have. 

Reading - July 23: What are you reading? What books are on your shelf?

What am I currently reading? Game On by Kyra Lennon, which was released this past Friday. For details of where to buy it, see here. I was honoured to be a critique partner for Kyra, and have read Game On at least 50 times. Every time I catch something new, or am surprised by something, and I still love the story. As far as contemporary romances go, it's one of the best I've read.  

What books are on my shelf? I have a large collection of fantasy, threaded through with a smattering of romance and horror/ supernatural. I've got books ranging from YA to erotica, and even a few comics and graphic novels throw in too. 

Since getting a tablet computer, and installing the Kindle app, I'm also building a collection of ebooks, again mostly fantasy, with a sprinkling of romance.

For a look at what books I've read you can check out my Goodreads Profile.

And ... if you haven't had enough of me yet, and want to read my thoughts on the ebook industry, I'm over at Arlee Bird's blog Tossing It Out today, debating "Are Ebooks the way of the Future?"

Game On Now Avaliable to Buy.

Amazon.com kindle version 

Amazon.com paperback 

Amazon UK kindle version 

Amazon UK paperback 

Game On Blog Tour Starts 6th August. 

NA Pitch Contest, July Follow My Lead Fiction Contest and Teaser Tuesday

You're all going to be sick of me by the end of the week, aren't you?

With the Buccaneer Blogfest happening, I wasn't going to blog today, but it seems I have too much to say! LOL

First, in case I haven't mentioned it enough, the New Adult Pitch Contest is happening RIGHT NOW! It's open until 23:59 on July 10th, 2012 OR if 100 pitches are received, whichever comes first. WINNERS of the pitch contest will be chosen by Heather Howland of Entangled Publishing and literary agent Sara Megibow. The prizes are an undetermined number of full (maybe partial) requests.

So, if you've got a NA novel and you haven't gotten your butt over to the contest do so NOW!

Talking of contests (you know I can't get enough of them), Candilynn Fite is hosting the Follow My Lead Fiction Contest. All you've got to do is write a 300 word flash fiction, using the image provided on Candilynn's site as a prompt. The prize on offer is Catherine Stine's Fireseed One.

Here's my entry:

You watch the fireworks, as I watch you. Everyone else is caught up in the excitement of a New Year dawning, but not you. Your long dark hair is untied as you quietly contemplate the future ahead of you. You're framed by the open window, as you perch on the sill, caught in the night breeze and unaware of those around you. For you, it doesn't matter if Natasha Phillips is kissing Ryan Brierly, or if Nathan Fellows is throwing up in the plant pot. All that matters to you is the dark night sky, illuminated by showers of green, red, and gold.

At the calls of "Happy New Year, " you turn your head as the light reflects in your bright blue eyes. You smile, an action that highlights your whole face, and repeat the greeting.

Your bare legs dangle inches above the floor, your glossy red toe nails just brushing the wooden boards. You're always barefoot, I don't think I've ever seen you with shoes on, even outside.

You accept a drink from Hayley, some florescent green concoction that's probably highly alcoholic. You purse your lips as you take a sip, your, usually undefined, Adam's apple bobbing as the cocktail makes it way down. Then you scrunch your face up, your nose wrinkling and your eyes closing, as I've seen them do when you eat a jalapeño.

You catch my eye, and smile again. "Happy New Year, Jason," you say brightly, noticing me for the first time all night, and never knowing how much you mean to me.

Hubby entered too, so go along and cheer him on. His entry is all kinds of awesome, and could be the start of a bigger story.

Finally, I've seen a few people taking part in Teaser Tuesdays, and wanted to join in, as I have a great series to share.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  
  
  

I'm cheating a little, and rather than giving my current read, I wanted to give a teaser from the book I finished this weekend. Supernaturally the second book in the Paranormalcy trilogy by Kiersten White (the final book is released on 24^th July 2012).

The Paranormalcy trilogy are what paranormal romance novels should be like. Evie, the series' herione is sassy, funny, and endearing. The mythology is original and interesting. The plots are gripping. And the boys are hot!!

Here's a two sentence teaser:

"Oh, bleep. I was going to die. I was going to die a horrible, gruesome, painful death."

Okay, I'll be back tomorrow with day two of the Buccaneer Blogfest. Everyone have a lovely day.