Blog Tour: Alien Minds by Christina Bauer @CB_Bauer

Alien Minds
Christina Bauer
(Dimension Drift #1)
Published by: Monster House Books
Publication date: April 23rd 2019
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

DIVERGENT meets OCEAN’S EIGHT in this urban fantasy heist!
On my seventeenth birthday, I wake up in the hospital to find I just survived a sketchy but terrible accident. My parents stand by my bedside—both are beautiful, wealthy, and super-nice. They tell me that once I leave the hospital, I’ll attend the prestigious ECHO Academy, where I’ll churn out equations for the government along with my mega-smart peers.
So, I’m living the perfect life.
Then why does everything feel all wrong?
My parents, my house and even ECHO Academy…none of it fits. Plus, what’s up with Thorne, my brooding yet yummy classmate who keeps telling me I need to remember my true past, which seems to have included a lot of us kissing? That’s one thing I’d really like to remember, except for the fact that I’m pretty sure Thorne is hiding a ton of nasty secrets of his own, including the fact that he may not be from this world. But considering how my own past seems alien to me, it’s not like I can judge. Plus, Thorne has dimples. That’s a problem.
And worst of all, why does it feel so yucky to work on these calculations for the government? It’s all supposed to be part of ECHO, but my heart tells me that I’m helping something truly terrible come to pass. Thorne seems to think that kissing him again will release my real memories.
Maybe it’s time to pucker up.
“Appealing and engaging. Love the strong female character!” – Arlene’s Book Reviews
This new series is perfect for: fans of urban fantasy, action & adventure, cool science, evil corporations, forbidden romance and hot new classmates who may or may not be aliens.

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An Interview with Christina Bauer

As part of her launch tour for ALIEN MINDS, author Christina Bauer stopped by the Cover Contessa. Here’s the interview!

1. Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else? 

I knew this was my goal since I was six years old. In fact, I used to stand up in class and spontaneously tell stories. The nuns loved that.

2. How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?

I’ve gotten faster over time. My first book was two years. Book twenty took me about three months.

3. How do you come up with themes for your stories?

For me, my stories all start with questions. What would happen if? How can I make this character really uncomfortable? Basically, I’m a bitch to my characters and it grows from there.

4. Do you have a schedule of when you write? 

Every day for at least six hours. The time changes depending on other factors, but I’m pretty consistent.

5. How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?.

Not always too tell. It’s hard!!! Sometimes I tell my husband “I have to go into my writer hidey hole for a few days to hit a deadline.” He and my son deserve a medal.

6. What elements do you think make a great story line? 

At least one character needs to start off somewhere emotionally and then end up somewhere else. That sounds easy, but it’s super hard, especially when you’re writing series and the ‘fall in love’ arc is already done!

7. What was the hardest thing about writing a book?

Having my characters get hurt or lose someone they love. I have to do it, but I hate it.

8. How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite? 

I’ve written 20 so far, and I think my favorite is now ALIEN MINDS.

9. Do you have a favorite character?

Meimi Archer. I love that she’s brave and vulnerable, all at the same time.

10. Where do you write?  

Starbucks.

11. When deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took? 

I tried traditional publishing and agents, and that wasn’t a fit. Mostly because they told me no!

12. Have you gotten feedback from family about your book(s)? What do they think?

My best friend figured out that she was Cissy from ANGELBOUND. That was a hoot.

13. What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?

I like to read, follow politics, and hang with my husband and son. I did PR for the first Women’s March back in 2017.

14. What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing? 

Read. Be prepared to suck. Realize you are awesome for wanting to be a force for creativity and enlightenment.

15. What is your favorite book? favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write? 

My favorite book/author is The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. When I read LOTR, there were no other fantasy books out there. It opened my mind to an entirely new way of storytelling.

16. Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such? 

Sure! If you want to be part of the folks I consult and survey, please join my personal newsletter here: https://tinyurl.com/bauersbooks

17. Are you working on anything now? 

After ALIEN MINDS, I’m writing a dragon paranormal romance called ZINNIA!

18. Tell us 5 things that make you smile

My son, my husband, wind in the trees, a good book, a bad joke.

19. Tell us 5 things that make you sad

Opportunism and the culture that celebrates it (times five.)

20. If you could travel anywhere in the world to visit a place so you could use it as a background for a book, where would it be?

Ancient Egypt as the female pharaoh Maatkare. That would rock.

Thanks for having me stop by! I enjoyed answering these questions and hope to return on a future tour!

Author Bio:
Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.
Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.
Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates

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Cover Reveal: Freshman Sidekick by Ron Tucker @rontuckerwrites

Freshman Sidekick
Ron Tucker
(High School Sidekick, #1)
Publication date: May 13th 2019
Genres: Superhero, Young Adult

Robbie isn’t your normal high school student. He can teleport. And in King City, if you’ve got a superpower, that means you can sign up to be a sidekick, so he does just that.
Wanting to become a sidekick, and hopefully, a fully-fledged superhero one day has been all Robbie’s dreamed about. But like they always say, be careful what you wish for.
No sooner than his first day of high school, does the balancing act commence. Making time for his best friend? Finally getting to go out with his crush? Training with his superhero mentor? Not to mention, there’s a psychotic villain on the loose and his minion seems to want to kill him.
Yeah, high school can suck. Add superpowers to the mix and it can be downright deadly.

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Author Bio:
Raised on a healthy dose of Saturday morning cartoons, video games, and Captain Crunch cereal (with crunch berries, of course), I write books that capture my imagination.
When I'm not writing, you can probably find me plotting my next story, playing video games (Eyes up, Guardian), or at the movies with a large Diet Coke and a large popcorn--no butter.

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Book Blast: The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad by Cookie O'Gorman @CookieOwrites

The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad
Cookie O’Gorman
Publication date: April 25th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Seventeen-year-old Sadie is tired of being a good girl.
Her Career Aptitude Test results say she’s ideally suited for a career in the clergy (aka a nun), and on top of that, she receives yet another rejection. An aspiring dancer/choreographer, Sadie dreams of being featured on Dancer’s Edge—but they say she’s too sweet, needs more life experience. Her BFF, Kyle, and her oldest friend, 79-year-old Betty, agree: Sadie is in desperate need of a life makeover.
But she’ll need a coach.
Sadie doesn’t lie, cheat or steal–heck she doesn’t even curse (part of the reason she hasn’t checked off anything on her “Carpe Diem List”). Sadie doesn’t know the first thing about being bad. But Kyle’s twin brother, Colton, does. And he’s willing to teach Sadie on one condition: she has to do everything he says for the next month.
A dazzling first kiss, two smokin’ hot brothers and a bet that changes everything. In this enemies-to-more YA romance, Sadie learns:
Breaking the rules can be fun—especially when it leads to happily-ever-after.

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—

EXCERPT:

“Sadie?” Colton said.
“Y-yes?” I said back.
“You’re not going to go all weird on me after this, right?”
My eyes snapped to his. “What?”
He licked his lips, gaze shifting down to watch as I licked my own in reflex. His voice was a bit lower when he said, “Don’t get any crazy ideas. I’m not in love with you or anything, so there’s not going to be a happily ever after for us. Just know it’s all for the bet.”
“I do know that,” I said, eyes spitting fire. “And you’ve got to be the most arrogant, egotistical maniac if you think one kiss would be enough to erase all the crap you put me through over the years. Nobody’s that good a kisser, Colton.”
Colton shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“If you ever actually do it,” I retorted. “Or are you scared you’ve talked yourself up so much that you won’t be able to deliver?”
He chuckled lightly. “Oh, I always deliver.”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
“Just waiting to see if you’re going to back out.”
As I blushed but stood firm, Colton’s eyes met mine one last time.
“This doesn’t change anything,” he said.
And then Colton Bishop was kissing me.

Author Bio:
Cookie O’Gorman writes stories filled with humor and heart for the nerd in all of us. Fiery first kisses, snappy dialogue, smart girls, swoonworthy boys, and unbreakable friendships are featured in each of her books.
Cookie is a hopeless romantic, a Harry Potter aficionado, and a supporter of all things dork. Chocolate, Chinese food, and Asian dramas are her kryptonite. Above all, she believes that real life has enough sorrow and despair—which is why she always tries to give her characters a happy ending. She is the author of Adorkable, Ninja Girl, The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder and The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad.

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Blog Tour: Rune's folly by Garen Glazier https://twitter.com/GarenGlazier

Rune’s Folly
Garen Glazier
Publication date: February 5th 2019
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Young Adult

By day, Tansy McCoy is a florist making charmed bouquets for the citizens of Junonia, capital of the Kingdom of Terranmar. By night, she’s an assassin and the keeper of the Dangerous Garden where deadly blooms grow. Together with the town tailor, butcher, baker, and metalsmith (just don’t call her a candlestick maker), she is part of the Guild, a secret group of spell-wielding thieves and mercenaries. Their task: consolidate all that remains of the realm’s fading magic under the ruthless King Zeno’s control.
Impetuous loner Tansy chafes under her Guild demands. She longs to quit her town and trade and head for the hills. Unfortunately, King Zeno has other plans. He wants to marry off his daughter to Terranmar’s famously reclusive wizard, Rune Hallows, and he’s willing to have the Guild kidnap him to make it happen. Fail to deliver the wizard and the consequences will be swift and deadly.
Reluctant but determined, Tansy sets out on the long journey to faraway Wentletrap and Rune’s desolate tower by the sea. To get there she must cross a swamp full of sinister surprises, battle a werewolf, and outrace a bloodthirsty band of revenants, while she wrestles with her own magical powers that seem to be expanding in unpredictable ways.
But reaching Rune’s tower is only the beginning. When Tansy learns the real reason behind the king’s contest, she’ll need to decide whether to give in to the growing forces of magic ready to reclaim Terranmar or embrace her newfound powers to save the kingdom.

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1. Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else? 

I think I was always in denial about becoming a writer. It’s the only thing I’m any good at, but it’s a tough gig. I kept hoping I’d be happy at something a little more stable and a little more lucrative, but in the end writing knew what was best for me.

2. How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?

I can usually finish the draft of a 80,000 – 85,000 word book in about four months. Edits can take another month or two.

3. How do you come up with themes for your stories?

I’m usually inspired by an image first. When I see something or read something and I can’t get the picture of it out of my head I know that’s a strong contender for a future story.

When I have enough images I start to play with them and find hidden or unexpected connections between them. Those newfound links between things that inspire me end up forming the basis of a new novel or, if it’s something that doesn’t quite fit with the rest, a piece of flash fiction.

4. Do you have a schedule of when you write? 

When I’m working on a new book I try to show up to the page each weekday and reach my word count goal. That will shift depending on my schedule and how close I am to the publication deadline, but in general I aim for 1,000 – 1,500 words or about 3-5 pages per day. Any more than that and I notice the quality of my writing declines with each passing page.

5. How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?

I’m a night owl so I do a lot of work after the kids are in bed and the house is nice and quiet. I do my best thinking after the sun goes down so this strategy works well. I also try to treat writing like the job it is and really focus on the story and hitting my word counts during the week so that when the weekend comes I have time to do things outside of my writing life.

6. What elements do you think make a great story line? 

For me there always has to be some mystery, something that piques my curiousity and keeps me invested in turning the pages. That and a little humor. I think its so important to provide that balance, that bit of comic relief. Stories, just like life, needn’t always be so serious.

7. What was the hardest thing about writing a book?

Everything! Just kidding. Kinda.

No, probably that hardest thing for me is making sure the characters’ actions ring true with their motivations. Often when I get writer’s block it’s because my subconscious knows even before I fully realize it that what my characters are doing is out of step with what they really want. Every step a character takes should make sense within the framework of their overarching needs and desires.

8. How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite? 

RUNE’S FOLLY is only my second book and it would be as impossible to choose a favorite between my two novels as it would be to choose between my two daughters.

9. Do you have a favorite character?

In RUNE’S FOLLY it would probably be Rune himself. I love how brash and sarcastic and not a little self-important he is. But hiding behind his witty quips and good looks is a broken heart, and I think that vulnerability is the key to him being so special to me.

10. Where do you write?  

It depends. I rotate through a few favorite places in my house including my desk, the couch, and a comfy chaise. I also like to change things up and write with my headphones on at a café down the street. There’s a great energy there that helps the words flow.

11. When deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took? 

I’m a bit of a control freak so the freedom to follow my vision as an indie author is extremely appealing to me. I make all the editorial, design, and marketing decisions for my books. It’s a lot of pressure, but I love being my own boss. I don’t have to ask for anyone’s permission but my own!

12. Have you gotten feedback from family about your book(s)? What do they think?

I’m lucky to have very supportive friends and family. They embrace my chosen path and are some of my biggest cheerleaders even if some of them are perplexed by my affinity for imaginary worlds and fantastical creatures.

13. What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?

I’m an avid reader. I love traveling and try to get out of town as often as possible. And I enjoy running – right now I’m training for a half-marathon!

14. What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing? 

Do not give up! The writing life isn’t easy. Facing the blank page is daunting. Once you get past that and get your story down, the editing process can be just as tough. Then there are so many hurdles on the path to publication and after your book is finally published it can be tough to spread the word and get it in the hands of readers. When it’s in readers’ hands you need to brace yourself for critical reviews.

Each step on the path is a challenge, a moment that will test your dedication, but stick with it. The reward of putting out a book you’re proud of and connecting with readers who have embraced your story is worth the struggle.

15. What is your favorite book? favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write? 

My favorite book is Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman although Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor is right up there. But probably the first book to really inspire me to love words and want to write was Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth.

16. Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such? 

Again I’m lucky to have a circle of supportive friends and family to call upon for those crucial first reads when it’s important to be kind but truthful about what works and what doesn’t within the story. I also work with some very talented professional editors that have helped me grow as a writer without bruising my fragile writer ego (too much).

17. Are you working on anything now? 

The sequel to RUNE’S FOLLY!

18. Tell us 5 things that make you smile

My daughters, my husband, a warm bath, a hot coffee, the smell of a summer morning.

19. Tell us 5 things that make you sad

The end of a good book, the opening scene of Up, trees that have been chopped down, cruelty, being excluded.

20. If you could travel anywhere in the world to visit a place so you could use it as a background for a book, where would it be?

The Scottish Highlands.

Author Bio:
I have always called Seattle home and find the perpetual gloom to be a wonderful writing ally. I like coffee shops, bookstores, dancing in my living room and singing in my car. The opening scene of Up makes me cry. Three Amigos makes me laugh. Fashion magazines, croissants, and long, long baths are my guilty pleasures. They might occur separately or together. I prefer boxing classes to yoga, and I get some of my best ideas when I'm running. I loved school and spent more time than one really should getting a business degree in marketing and a master's in art history. In an ideal world I'd go to bed at 2am and wake up at 10am. I've never been an early bird, and I feel strongly that alarm clocks kill dreams.
Learn more at garenglazier.com.

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Cover Reveal: Cold White Falling by Gabrielle Prendergast

Today Gabrielle Prendergast and Rockstar Book Tours are revealing the cover for COLD FALLING WHITE, the sequel to her Sci-Fi Book ZERO REPEAT FOREVER which releases November 19, 2019! Check out the awesome cover and enter the giveaway!

On to the reveal! 

About The Book:

Title: COLD FALLING WHITE (The Nahx Invasions #2)

Author: G.S. Prendergast

Pub. Date: November 19, 2019

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 352

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

The 5th Wave meets Beauty and the Beast in this fast-paced and heart-stopping follow-up to Zero Repeat Forever, which VOYA called “an edge-of-your-seat page-turner.”

Xander Liu survived the end of the world—just barely. For more than a year he has outsmarted, hidden from, and otherwise avoided the ruthless alien invaders, the Nahx, dodging the deadly darts that have claimed so many of his friends. When the murder of his friend Raven leaves him in the protective company of August, a rebellious Nahx soldier, Xander is finally able to make his way back to human controlled territory and relative safety.

But safety amongst the humans is not what it seems. Nothing is anymore.

Raven remembers dying in the arms of August. She remembers the pain, and the way he cried as she faded away. But months later when she wakes up on a wide expanse of snowy sand dunes, shackled to a boy she thought was dead too, she has a lot of questions. What has happened to her and the other reanimated humans gathered on the dunes? What is the meaning of the Nahx ships that hover ominously above them? And most pressing of all, where is August, who promised to keep her safe?

In the shadow of an unforgiving Canadian winter, Xander and Raven find themselves on opposite sides of an alien war neither of them signed up for. Left with little choice about their roles in the great battle that now seems inevitable, they search for answers and allies, all while feeling inexorably drawn back the place it seems their respective fates were determined, and to the one who determined them: August.

Title: ZERO REPEAT FOREVER (The Nahx Invasions #2)

Author: G.S. Prendergast

Pub. Date: August 29, 2017

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 496

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

The 5th Wave meets Beauty and the Beast in this fast-paced and heart-stopping novel about an invasion of murderous creatures and one girl fighting for her life at the end of the world.

He has no voice, or name, only a rank, Eighth. He doesn’t know the details of the mission, only the directives that hum in his mind.

Dart the humans. Leave them where they fall.

His job is to protect his Offside. Let her do the shooting.

Until a human kills her…

Sixteen year-old Raven is at summer camp when the terrifying armored Nahx invade, annihilating entire cities, taking control of the Earth. Isolated in the wilderness, Raven and her friends have only a fragment of instruction from the human resistance.

Shelter in place.

Which seems like good advice at first. Stay put. Await rescue. Raven doesn’t like feeling helpless but what choice does she have?

Then a Nahx kills her boyfriend.

Thrown together in a violent, unfamiliar world, Eighth and Raven should feel only hate and fear. But when Raven is injured, and Eighth deserts his unit, their survival comes to depend on trusting each other… 

ZERO REPEAT FOREVER Book Trailer:

About Gabrielle:

Gabrielle is a writer, teacher and designer living in Vancouver, Canada.  You can read about her books here. She is represented by Barbara Poelle at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency.

In 2014 she was the Writer in Residence at Vancouver Public Library. In 2015 she was nominated for the BC Book Prizes and chosen to tour the province to promote BC Books. In 2017 Gabrielle took part in the TD Canada Children’s Book Week Tour. She has also been nominated for the White Pine Awardand the CLA Award.

Gabrielle won the Westchester Award for Audacious. Audacious was included in CBC’s list of 100 YA Books That Make You Proud to be Canadian. A poem from Capricious was chosen for the 2014 Poetry in Transit Program. Pandas on the East Side was chosen as an Ontario Library Association Best Bet for Junior Fiction in 2016. It was also nominated/shortlisted for the Chocolate Lily Award, The Red Cedar Award, the Diamond Willow Award and the Myrca Award.

ZERO REPEAT FOREVER Website |Website |  Twitter | Facebook | Intstagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a signed Zero Repeat Forever hardcover, USA and Canada Only.

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Blog Tour: Smoke and Key by Kelsey Sutton

Smoke and Key

by Kelsey Sutton

Release Date: April 2019

Entangled Teen

Summary:

A sound awakens her. There's darkness all around. And then she's falling...

She has no idea who or where she is. Or why she's dead. The only clue to her identity hangs around her neck: a single rusted key. This is how she and the others receive their names—from whatever belongings they had when they fell out of their graves. Under is a place of dirt and secrets, and Key is determined to discover the truth of her past in order to escape it.

She needs help, but who can she trust? Ribbon seems content in Under, uninterested in finding answers. Doll’s silence hints at deep sorrow, which could be why she doesn't utter a word. There's Smoke, the boy with a fierceness that rivals even the living. And Journal, who stays apart from everyone else. Key's instincts tell her there is something remarkable about each of them, even if she can't remember why.

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About the Author

Kelsey Sutton is a young adult and middle grade author. She lives in Minnesota, where she received a dual bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Bemidji State University. She will soon have a master's degree from Hamline University. Her work has received an Independent Publisher Book Award, an IndieFab Award, and was selected as a Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of 2013. When not writing, Kelsey can be found watching too much Netflix, ordering a mocha at the nearest coffee shop, or browsing a bookstore. You can visit her online at www.kelseysuttonbooks.com, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter or Instagram.

Author Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook 

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