Weekly wrap-up: May 25-31

Actual conversation I had with my mom this week:

Me: "Speaking of books... Mommy, I love you."

Mom: *sighs* "What do you need me to send you?"

Me: "Okay, go up to my room."

Mom: "I'm there."

Me: "Tall bookshelf in the corner."

Mom: "Which corner?"

Me: "The TALL bookshelf. The one in the actual corner, not the one behind the door."

Mom: "Give me a second, you have a lot of stuff on the floor, and if I'm not careful, I'll fall and hurt myself just like you did."

Me: " HA. HA."

Mom: "Now what?"

Me: "Okay, look for three books that look alike but one is yellow, one is pink, and one is bl–"

Mom: "Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and Baby Proof?"

Me: "YES."

Mom: "Fine. I'll have them in the mail tomorrow."

(PS they arrived Thursday)

Guys, my mom is the best. She is so supportive of my bookish habits (and is, in fact, the source of said habits). She said she missed me this week because the Scholastic book sale was in town. She was telling me all about the books that were there like "the book with the shoe" (Cinder) and the Ally Carter books like "the one with the thieves" (Heist Society) and "the now you see them" books (Gallagher Girls, which she HAS read). She said she got "a LOT of books, including a couple for you, and only for $120!" so yeah, totally where I get my book buying habits.

Completed:

Foreplay (Ivy Chronicles #1) - Sophie Jordan: 4 stars. Really entertaining. I read Hunter's novella first so I was kind of on "his side" of the situation, but after reading Foreplay, I understand Pepper a bit better. But I still want a full Hunter/Brooke book, Sophie!
Tease (Ivy Chronicles #2) - Sophie Jordan: 3.5 stars. I'm not sure why I didn't like Tease quite as much as Foreplay, even though I think I might relate more to Emerson than Pepper. I think it might have something to do with the sweetness of Pepper and Reese rather than the sharp I-hate-you-ness of Emerson and Shaw. Still, very enjoyable. Can't wait for Wild!
The Immortal Crown (Age of X #2) - Richelle Mead: 4 stars. So I didn't like this quite as much as Gameboard. I miss the mystery aspect it had. Also, I miss some of the characters (Leo and Dominic, mostly). I also couldn't have cared less about Tessa's storyline. Not. Interested. It was, however, very interesting to read this book during a time when we are collectively questioning gender inequality and violence because there's a look at that in here. <--- this is what I thought as I was reading. Then I read Mae's last conversation and the epilogue and I was like: OHMYGOSH RICHELLE YOU CRUEL MONSTER HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME. I don't even know why I was surprised. Shadow Kiss: horrible, emotional cliffy. Fiery Heart: horrendous, feels-destroying cliffy. Classic Mead.
"Just One Night" (Just One Day #2.5) - Gayle Forman: 4 stars. A little chaotic, but an overall satisfying ending to Allyson and Willem's story. Simultaneously sweet, charming, and sexy.

Reread:

Something Borrowed audiobook - Emily Giffin: 2 stars. I simply do not understand the point of abridged audiobooks. I really don't. I also didn't like the narrator's voice much. I don't feel like she was a good match for Rachel, and her voices for Darcy and Marcus were downright horrid.

Currently Reading:

Something Blue audiobook - Emily Giffin. On pause. My cd has a scratch so it's skipping. Need to fix it before I can continue-ue-ue-ue (<--that's what it sounds like, and it's driving me CRAZY).
The Forever Song - Julie Kagawa. ZEKE! *weeps bitterly*
Divergent audiobook - Veronica Roth. I have to have this back in the library in 3 weeks so I have to listen to it now, even though I'm like #16 in the holds line for Insurgent. :( But this means I'm getting closer to finally reading Allegiant!

New to my bookshelf this week:

Library:

Divergent audiobook - Veronica Roth
City of Lost Souls audiobook - Cassandra Clare
The Book of Broken Hearts audiobook - Sarah Ockler
City of Heavenly Fire - Cassandra Clare

Bought:

B&N
The Art of Lainey - Paula Stokes
The One (Selection #3) - Kiera Cass
Selection Stories (Selection #1.5/2.5) - Kiera Cass

Half Price Books
The Fault in Our Stars - John Green (2 copies)

Amazon:
Seven Day Fiancé (Love & Games #2) - Rachel Harris (4 copies)
"Just One Night" (Just One Day #2.5) - Gayle Forman. Mmmm, yeah.
City of Heavenly Fire (Mortal Instruments #6) - Cassandra Clare. ABOUT FRIGGING TIME.
Take Me On (Pushing the Limits #4) - Katie McGarry
Biggest Flirts (Superlatives #1) - Jennifer Echols

Giveaways & Contests:
The Art of Lainey + the fab fashion prize pack. Courtesy of author Paula Stokes & #ArtofLainey twitter party hostess Christina of Ensconced in Lit. Thank you both so much!!! *hugs*

Waiting on Wednesday: Talon by Julie Kagawa

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Talon
Talon #1

by Julie Kagawa

Coming October 28, 2014

Harlequin Teen

Summary:

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Why I want it:

Um, I love Julie. Duh. Her stories are so unique, always mixing different creatures and mythologies. Her writing has only gotten better since the beginning, and she's showing no signs of stopping, let alone slowing down.

Why I think you should want it:
 Um, dragons. That is all. There is always room for more dragons in ya. Also, if you know Julie at ALL, you know dragons are kind of her thing. Fairies and vampires are all well and good, but Julie is SO PASSIONATE about dragons that she makes adorable little dragon figurines in her spare time. This is sure to be a hit for that alone, but when you add in Julie's penchant for sexy and sweet boys and forcing emotional trauma on her readers... well, you know we're all going to be having a big ole case of the feels come October.

What do you think of my pick this week? Will you be picking up Talon? Share your thoughts & your picks in the comments!

Top Ten Tuesday #49: Audiobooks

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week the girls at B&B think up a fun theme, and participating bloggers post their favorite 10 books in that category. This week's theme is

Top Ten Audiobooks

Today was a freebie topic for Top Ten Tuesday, and I wanted to do something unique, like all the amazing posts I've seen so I decided to focus on audiobooks, which I never liked until last year. I have been planning on a new blog feature called Audio Adventures that I haven't been able to get off the ground yet, but this is a preview of the books I'm planning on featuring when I finally start it up!

 

 

Those are the top audio adaptations I have listened to thus far, but I'm looking for more! Please share your picks for great audiobooks! Also, what did you feature for your freebie TTT? Share your topics, your picks, and your links in the comments!

Sale Alert: Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris is only 99¢!

Author: Rachel Harris
Release Date: October 14, 2013
Publisher: Entangled: Bliss
Genre: adult contemporary romance
Status: book 2 in the Love & Games series

Summary:

Angelle Prejean is in a pickle. Her family is expecting her to come home with a fiancé—a fiancé who doesn’t exist. Well, he exists, but he definitely has no idea Angelle told her mama they were engaged. Tattooed, muscled, and hotter than sin, Cane can reduce Angelle to a hot mess with one look—and leave her heart a mess if she falls for him. But when she ends up winning Cane at a charity bachelor auction, she knows just how to solve her fiancé problem.

Cane Robicheaux is no one’s prince. He doesn’t do relationships and he doesn’t fall in love. When sweet, sultry-voiced Angelle propositions him, he hopes their little game can finally get her out of his head. He doesn’t expect her to break through all his barriers. But even as Angelle burrows deeper into his heart, he knows once their seven days are up, so is their ruse.

Book Buy Links:

  

Teasers:

  

What are readers saying?

“If you love to read a melt-your-(panties)heart romance with a man that makes the room heat up and a woman that totally deserves all of the love he’s willing to give, read Rachel Harris. She KNOWS romance.”– Meredith (Goodreads)

“I had the honor of reading this book early and oh my gosh, I loved it! A super fun read with great sexual tension that leaps off the page, heartwarming moments to make you sigh, and a hero and heroine who will capture your heart and keep it for a long time after you’ve finished reading the book!”–Robin Bielman (Goodreads)

Check out the first book in the series!

One sexy fire captain. One Cajun chef, One combustible kitchen…

When chef Colby Robicheaux returned home to New Orleans to save her family restaurant, the last person she expected to reconnect with was her brother’s best friend and her childhood crush. As tempting as a sugar-coated beignet, Jason is one dish she doesn’t want to taste. Colby is counting down the days till she can leave the place where her distrust of love and commitment originated and go back to Vegas.

Fire captain Jason Landry isn’t looking for love, either. He knows he should focus on finding the perfect mother for his daughter, but when he first sees Colby, all grown up and gorgeous, he can’t help but be drawn to her. And when she suggests a no-strings-attached fling, Jason doesn’t want to say no.

As their relationship grows more intense, Colby finds that Jason isn’t as easy to leave behind as she thought. Could turning up the heat on something real be worth the possibility of getting burned?

 

About the Author:

Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong families are a staple in each of her Rachel Harrisbooks…and kissing. Lots of kissing.

A Cajun cowgirl now living in Houston, she firmly believes life’s problems can be solved with a hot, sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations. She homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches way too much Food Network with her amazing husband.

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and losing herself in story. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!

Author Links:

   

Giveaway:

I'm giving away THREE copies of Seven Day Fiancé! Open internationally. Giveaway ends June 3. Three winners will receive a Kindle copy of SDF so please only enter if you can receive a Kindle ebook. Good luck!

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Dark Days of Winter 2014 Recap

Last fall, Aubry and Margot announced the Dark Days of Winter tour on a special Epic Reads Tea Time, and I was like, "Tennessee, huh? Time to visit the fam!" For the rest of the fall and winter, I planned and saved to get ready for my trip. On February 20, around 7 am, my sister, 4 month old niece, and I climbed into my car and began our 10 hour (not including stops, which were frequent because, hello, infant!) trek back to the homeland. Oh, and by the way, this happened:

For some context, this radar shot is from about 9:40 PM. The event started at...6:30? I think? That line of storms basically just sat around during the entire event, which was at the B&N just south of Nashville proper in Brentwood. The storms were so bad that the B&N employees asked us to stay inside. There was thunder. There was lightning. There were tornado watches. Kiersten joked that it was an ether storm, courtesy of Veronica.

This event will stand as one of my favorites because there were a lot of authors in the house, even more than the four actually on tour. I got to meet some of my favorites, and that just made my whole trip awesome! Although I wish I'd known in advance that they were coming because I totally own some of their books!

Left to right: Beth Revis, Victoria Schwab, Courtney C. Stevens, Ransom Riggs, me, Stephanie Perkins! Side note: Beth, Victoria, and Stephanie were kind enough to sign some extra books for me so...yeah. ;)

I was also really glad to see my college friend Aleesha at the event and blogger friend Jessica of Lovin' Los Libros. I may be a Texan now, but that doesn't mean that going back to Tennessee doesn't feel like coming home. <3

me with Jessica

Q1. All your books feature very strong heroines. Were you inspired by any other strong literary heroinces/
Sophie Jordan (SJ): There are soooo many in fiction. Anne of Green Gables. Also just what is fascinating, taking a character who is weak, put her through a difficult situation. She will gain strength and courage throughout.
Tahereh Mafi (TM): Matilda is my favorite heroine in fiction. She is one of the fiercest heroines, and she chose books over everything. I really admired her for her great inner strength.
Veronica Rossi (VR): Hermione. You can't get too much better than her, although I didn't actively model Aria after any character or even a real person.
Kiersten White (KW): I used to read a lot of high fantasy when I was younger, and it's always a lot of guys with powers saving the world with lots of girls who are their love interests. When I read the Wheel of Time series with not one, not two, but three love interests, I thought no. We need more strong girls. Boys are great; they make excellent kissing scene partners. I didnt have it growing up. My girls are not necessarily the strongest, but they do the best with what they have.

Veronica & Tahereh

Q2. Pantsers or plotters?
SJ: I have to sit down and plot to answer those questions. I think about things, make it plausible. I create a map and then don't always follow it at all.
TM: There's no one right way to write a book. One author may do it differently for each book. I say if you've got a finished book, you're doing it right. I like the first book to be organic. Then I'll have a loose outline. It changes book to book. I like that writing is a pants-optional lifestyle.
VR: I agree with that. The middle book is very different from the first or the last. Also, each genre may be different. I just wrote a manuscript which is 350 pages with little plot.
KW: I hate wearing pants... It varies book by book. Some I outline; some I didn't know I was going to write until I sat down to write it.

Q3. Do you feel self-conscious when writing? How do you break through when you don't feel good about what you're writing?
SJ: I can't call my mom because she tells me that's just stupid. So I tell my writer friends, and my husband asks who he needs to throat punch. I let it come in the first draft; I don't judge myself. I know it'll come with editing.
TM: Writers are so so weird, which is why this is fun. I have some days when I'm writing, and I'm in it, in the zone–Auto Zone–and then I go to bed and wake up and I'm like, "that was terrible! What am I doimg?!" In the span of twelve hours, I think I am a genius/I am the worst! There's no solution. It helps to talk about it. Ransom and my mom, anyone who will listen. The worst is when they agree with you, say, "you bring up a good point," and I'm like, "no stop! All I need is for you to agree with me!"
VR: Finding people who understand is key, but for me, it's a question whether I need to step away for a little bit. When you have those little crises, it's a fear thing. I like to go on a binge of things I find inspiring. We have such a great community, so many people you can lean on.
KW: I don't have that option. It's good to have author friends because they understand. Normal people don't understand like accountants...
[they asked their writer friends in the audience to share their thoughts, and this was the best answer]
Beth Revis: VODKA

Q4. Veronica and Tahereh, where are your books set in the modern world?
TM: I purposely did not want to clarify; I wanted it to feel like anywhere. But it was always in my mind as southern California.
VR: I also deliberately didn't say where, but I did a lot of research in central California.

Kiersten & Sophie

Q5. What was your favorite book to write?
KW: Mind Games. It was wonderful and obsessive and I totally lost myself to it. I wrote it in nine days and spent time editing it. Meanwhile The Chaos of Stars took a year and a half. It was the one that was least fun to write but means the most to me.
SJ: Firelight is special because it was my first ya. Now it is Uninvited because it's done. It's the near future, where I grew up, modeled after my school campus. There was a cage at my school that was the on-campus suspension room.
VR: It's not the one I finished, but the one I'm working on now because I'm so excited about it.
TM: Veronica and I are always seated next to each other because we're in love. We're getting married. Our husbands are attending. My answer is the same. I can't talk about what I'm working on now, but it is the best thing I've ever written.

Q6. If you could live in any book world, what would it be?
SJ: I don't know!
VR: Harry Potter.
KW: Harry Potter.
Audience member: Even if you were a Muggle?
KW: Of course I wouldnt be a Muggle!
TM: How dare you! I agree, but I'd also live in Stars Hollow with Lorelei and Rory Gilmore.

 ALL the authors!

Q7. What are your best tricks for getting past writers' block?
SJ: I skipped to a scene I was really excited about, and then I wrote the whole book out of sequence. Some people can do that; that's their process.
KW: have you ever heard of accountants block or plumbers block? Well, no, I did know of a plumber with plumbers block. I know what I need to do, but I'd rather watch 4seasons of dr. Who. Writers block happens when im writing the wrong story or I'm forcing the characters to do something they shouldnt. I messed something up. Getting started is the hardest part.
TM: I agree. That was beautiful. I have nothing to add.
VR: Yep. I agree.
KW: I wrote the hottest scene in book [Annie & ____ in Perfect Lies] for Stephanie Perkims and then knew I would have to format book to keep that scene. Sorry, I answered twice. That was so rude!

Q8. Where do you find your inspiration?
SJ: It's the little things that have happened in the course of our lives. The cage from my school stayed with me and when I needed it, I could pull it.
TM: I would just say writers are thieves. We steal anything from anyone and everyone. We are inspired from totally random things. When I'm thinking about a book, I put on headphones and go on tumblr and infinite scroll. So much talent. That's when I can't leave my house. I dive into a story. I surround myself with art and literature. If I can leave, I'll go on an adventure. You need input for output.
VR: There was an art teacher who looked down on a boy for creating a painting in four hours, but it didn't just take four hours. It really took nineteen years. You are culmination of your experience. It's hard for me to say this one particular thing is so inspiring.
KW: I draw my inspiration from Tahereh's life. People are so fascinating. I also get inspiration from consuming other forms of entertainment. Movies, music, travel to other landscapes.

Kiersten & Sophie, two of my favorites to hang out with

Q9. Do you get emotional while writing? How do you cope?
SJ: It's okay to cry. Better to be emotional because you want to evoke emotion in the reader.
TM: I write my books in bursts. When I am writing a character, I need to throw muself into their life, their emotions. I feel like I have a fever, hot, dizzy confused. I feel very deeply. If I can't feel it, you can't.
VR: I think I write for that reason. Otherwise it's boring. Who wants to read a book that doesn't illicit emotion?
KW: I have no emotions. I'm a robot.

Q10. Was it daunting to go into the last book of a series?
SJ: I thought knew how Firelight would end, but I wrote the ending, then wrote another. I had two equally viable endings. I wanted a chose your own ending, but my editor said no, I had to pick.
TM: I felt true fear when writing the third book because the third book is one big decision: choosing between this person or that person. She chooses to be awesome, I do whatever the hell I want. That was what I wanted to come across more than anything else. But yes, lots of threats. Emails and tweets. You guys have a lot of feelings! There's no way to satisfy everyone. Once you understand that, you have to go with your gut!
VR: I had more fear with the second book. We're usually writing a year behind. There was a whole host of things I was getting feedback on. By the time the third one rolled around, I found my true north again. I know what I want to do. I want my fans, my editor, my agent to be happy.
KW: Someone wrote a new last chapter to Endlessly. They changed everything. I found this amuaing, but I like how I ended it. It's an emotionally honest ending; there is a catharsis whether or not it ends how you wanted it to end. Young adult is about letting your characters grow through horrible experiences and leaving them at the gates of adulthod.

This is serious deja vu. I've seen Tahereh and Veronica on three Dark Days tours, Tahereh once at the Irving Library, Sophie about four times this year, and Kiersten at two different TLA conferences plust this tour. These ladies are awesome, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see them so much. Let's do it again! (actually, we ARE doing it again. Veronica will be in Dallas in July and Sophie in October)

I already posted my recap for the 2014 Dark Days of Summer tour, and to celebrate all the Dark Days-ness going on, I'm holding a giveaway! Two winners will be chosen, and each will win a set of four signed books with each set representing either the summer or winter tour. First place will get to choose which set they want, and second place will receive the other. This giveaway is US only.

Winter prize pack: signed copies of Sophie Jordan's Uninvited, Kiersten White's Perfect Lies, Veronica Rossi's Into the Still Blue, and Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me

Summer prize pack: signed copies of Kelley Armstrong's Sea of Shadows, Danielle Paige's Dorothy Must Die, Kimberly Derting's The Taking, and Kiera Cass's The One

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Weekly wrap-up: May 18-24

I read a lot this week, even though it doesn't look like it. I didn't finish any books, but I did read a LOT.

Completed:

NADA!

Reread:

The Supernaturalist audiobook - Eoin Colfer & Chiwetel Ejiofor: 4.5 stars. Great adaptation. This is my favorite Eoin Colfer book so of course I loved it, but I was thrown off a little by the accents and Chiwetel's pronunciation.

Currently Reading:

Something Borrowed audiobook - Emily Giffin
The Forever Song - Julie Kagawa

New to my bookshelf this week:

Library:

nothing! I'm playing the waiting game with my holds again.

Bought:

Half Price Books:

Something Borrowed audiobook - Emily Giffin

Something Blue audiobook - Emily Giffin
Hereafter - Tara Hudson
Shades of Earth - Beth Revis

Events Attended:
5/22: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl's Dangerous Creatures tour

Dark Days of Summer 2014 Recap

 L to R: Kiera, Kelley, Kimberly, Danielle

So a few weeks ago, the Dark Days of Summer with Kelley Armstrong, Kiera Cass, Kimberly Derting, and Danielle Paige started with a bang right here in Dallas. The Irving Library staff do a phenomenal job at organizing the event and decorating (humblebrag time: I helped a little bit so *pats self on the back*), and the crowd brought an amazing energy to the event. I had a fantastic time helping out with the event, and I even had the opportunity to interview the authors! If you live anywhere near the DFW metroplex, and you have never attended an event at the IPL, you are seriously missing out. If you don't live here, I suggest you come visit us for one of our events. It's ALWAYS a great time!

 Swag table! There were individual pieces to take home for each book in addition to book cover buttons. Crowns for The One, dagger necklaces for Sea of Shadows, blue gingham or red bows for Dorothy Must Die and firefly wand for The Taking! Let's just say there was a lot of hot gluing going on before the panel! 

Everything is going under the cut because it was a long panel. Please understand there may be some spoilers, but nothing huge for the featured books. For instance, Kiera does mention a crazy event in The Elite, but she was very careful to avoid spoilers for The One so you are safe on that account. And just fyi, in typical me fashion, there is a giveaway at the end.

Waiting on Wednesday: This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

This Shattered World
These Broken Stars #2

by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Coming November 11, 2014

Disney-Hyperion

Summary:

Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.

Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.

Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. Terraforming corporations make their fortune by recruiting colonists to make the inhospitable planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.

Desperate for any advantage in a bloody and unrelentingly war, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape the rebel base together, caught between two sides of a senseless war.

Why I want it:

These Broken Stars is definitely one of my favorite books from 2013. It was incredibly well-written, containing a unique and captivating sci-fi plot as well as excellent character development and a beautifully captured romance. I am really excited to see how Meagan and Amie flip to a soldier girl and civilian boy for this sequel. Definitely one of my most anticipated for this year!

Why I think you should want it:

These Broken Stars was marketed as Titanic in space, but in truth, this series is so much more than that. Amie and Meagan tread the line perfectly between a story that is simultaneously character- and story-driven, and they ignore neither aspect. TBS is a sci-fi romance, but there's action, adventure, a journey, desperate survival, and a cover-up literally as large as the universe. I'm personally really excited to see new characters and their own arc, but also the continuation of some of the truths undiscovered in the first book. If you haven't read These Broken Stars, I urge you to do so before This Shattered World comes out. Trust me on this one. If you need more convincing, check out my 4 1/2 star review for These Broken Stars here.

 
What are you waiting for today? Leave your picks and your links in the comments!

Book Birthday Blitz: The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

Author: Paula Stokes
Release Date: May 20, 2014
Publisher: Harper Teen
Genre: young adult contemporary romance
Status: standalone...but there WILL be a Micah-pov novella!

Summary:

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they're sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few "dates", it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What's a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you're meant to be with if you're still figuring out the person you're meant to be?

Available from:

   

About the Author:

Paula Stokes is half writer, half RN, and totally thrilled to be part of the world of YA literature. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri where she graduated from Washington University and the Goldfarb School of Nursing. When she’s not writing, she’s kayaking, hiking, reading, or seeking out new adventures in faraway lands. Paula loves interacting with readers! Find her online at www.authorpaulastokes.com or on twitter as @pstokesbooks.

Author Links:

    

Giveaway:

2 winners will receive a copy of The Art of Lainey + swag.
Giveaway is open INT. | Must be 13+ to Enter

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Many thanks to the ladies of Book Nerd Tours of  for giving me the opportunity to be part of this Nerd Blast. You ladies are awesome!