Cover Reveal: Mischief & Magnolias by Kristi Cook @Kristi_Cook

We are super excited to share with you all the cover to young adult author, Kristi Cook's upcoming novella Mischief & Magnolias!!! 

Not only are we sharing the cover today, but we also have a teaser from the book that has never been shared before. 

To make things EVEN MORE exciting, author Kristi Cook is giving away a copy of ANY of her books to one lucky winner! Details can be found at the end. 

Who's ready to see the cover? :) 

Expected publication: February 7th 2017

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When Ryder Marsden and Jemma Cafferty return to Magnolia Branch for Christmas break following their first semester at their respective universities in New York City (Columbia and NYU), their secret relationship is revealed—they’re literally caught under the mistletoe, kissing. Unexpectedly, their parents—who’ve spent their entire lives pushing them together—are somehow less than thrilled, especially when they realize the depth of their deception.

Tensions mount as the Marsden and Cafferty families struggle to come to terms with Jemma’s and Ryder’s feelings for each other, especially as they prepare to send them back to New York City together. At the same time, Jemma and Ryder must face their own problems that have arisen as a result of attending different schools—there are jealousies to be sorted out and hurt feelings to mend if their relationship is going to stand the test of time.

Will their love last, or are they star-crossed lovers, after all?

     Laura Grace nods and turns toward Ryder and me. “You two kids try and play nice for a little bit. Dinner’s in fifteen minutes—get yourselves cleaned up and to the dining room by then, okay?”
     “Got it,” Ryder murmurs.
     And off they go, leaving us totally and blissfully alone. 
     Ryder sidles up beside me. “So, last night was nice,” he says, his breath warm against my ear.
     Shivers race down my spine. “Yes, it was.”
     “Think you can sneak out again tonight?”
     “Probably. You know my parents—always in bed by ten.”
     He runs a hand through his dark hair, leaving it sticking up in all directions. “How am I going to last until then? Sitting at the dinner table across from the prettiest girl in the world and not allowed to touch her?”
     “Well, would you look at that…” I tip my head toward the doorway, where a sprig of mistletoe is conveniently hanging. “Should we risk it? Maybe if we’re really quick?”
His dark eyes spark with mischief, and I grab his hand and dash toward the door, dragging him with me as I position myself directly under the waxy green leaves.
     “You sure like to live dangerously, Jemma Cafferty,” he says, wrapping his arms around me.
I rise up on tiptoe, my head tipped back as I gaze up at him adoringly. “Shut up and kiss me, Ryder Marsden.”
     His kiss is gentle at first—almost tentative. But then…it’s like the room falls away and there’s nothing left, nothing but me and Ryder and this kiss that literally steals away my breath and turns my knees to Jell-O and my brain to mush.
     And that’s pretty much when all hell breaks loose. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times bestselling YA author Kristi Cook is a transplanted southern gal who lives in New York City with her husband and two kids. Her YA debut, HAVEN, was released in Feb. 2011 by Simon Pulse. The last two volumes in the Winterhaven series, MIRAGE and ETERNAL, followed in 2012 and 2013. Her first contemporary, southern-set YA, MAGNOLIA, was released in 2014. She's currently working on a contemporary YA with paranormal elements set in Savannah, GA.

Kristi also writes adult romantic fiction as Kristina Cook and Kristi Astor.

Other YA novels by Kristi Cook...

Find Kristi on...

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• This giveaway is open international
• Winner will be chosen via rafflecopter
• An email will be sent to the winner. 
• Winner has 24 hours to claim book or a new winner will be chosen

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Teaser Tuesday: Dark Goddess by Amalie Howard @AmalieHoward

DARK GODDESS 

by Amalie Howard

Hardcover, 384 pages

Expected publication: July 4th 2017 

by Sky Pony Press

After an epic struggle that unseated the Asura Lord of Death and placed Serjana Caelum’s best friend, Kyle, on his throne, the Mortal Realm is peaceful and the balance between good and evil—which Sera is sworn to protect—has been restored.

But signs of a new threat to the world of men quickly begin to appear: A scourge of demons descends on the Mortal Realm, and Sera is beside herself trying to locate their source. She sends word to the gods for help, and their answer comes in the form of Kira, the living incarnation of Kali, goddess of destruction.

Stunning and dangerous, Kira plans to protect the heavens at all cost, even if it means destroying the entire Mortal Realm. Soon Sera and Kyle find themselves fighting not just the demon plague, but Kira and her twin. But when an even more sinister threat arises—putting not just the human world but all planes of existence in jeopardy—they must all learn to work together or lose everything they sacrificed so much to save.

     Without a backward glance, she closed her eyes and jumped into the midst of the blue-black pool, the sticky fluid sucking her body down to its depths like some kind of ravenous beast. As it devoured her, Sera’s mind emptied of all thought…and of all memory as she plummeted into the space where love would be nothing but weakness. She’d learned that the hard way. She stripped away all emotion, all empathy.
     It was time to become the monster.

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BOOK ONE IN THE SERIES: ALPHA GODDESS

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AMALIE HOWARD grew up in Trinidad & Tobago where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees, and dreaming of adventure. 25 countries, surfing with sharks, and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.

An aspiring writer from a young age, Amalie’s poem “The Candle,” written at age twelve, was published by the University of Warwick press. At fifteen, she was  a recipient of a Royal Commonwealth Society Essay Award (a global youth writing competition). A Colby College graduate, she completed dual Honors Theses in both French and International Studies, and graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. At Colby, she was cited for her research contribution to Raffael Scheck’s article, “German Conservatism and Female Political Activism in the Early Weimar Republic,” and his subsequent book, Mothers of the Nation. She also received a distinction in English Literature from the University of Cambridge (A-levels) as well as a postgraduate certificate in French Literature from the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris, France. Traveling the globe, she has worked as a research assistant, account executive, and global channel sales director for a Fortune 500 company.

She is the award-winning author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, SLJ, VOYA, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kid’s INDIE NEXT title. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was a #1 Amazon bestseller, and the sequel, Bloodcraft, was a national silver IPPY medalist and a silver Moonbeam award winner. She is also the co-author of the adult historical romance series, THE LORDS OF ESSEX. As an author of color and a proud supporter of diversity in fiction, her articles on multicultural fiction have appeared in The Portland Book Review and on the popular Diversity in YA blog. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three children.

Find Amalie Howard: Website † Twitter † Facebook † Instagram

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Release Day Blitz: Bloodcraft (The Cruentus Curse #2) by Amalie Howard @AmalieHoward

Bloodcraft by Amalie Howard

Series: Bloodspell #2 

Genre: Upper YA/NA (mature content), Fantasy

Publication: December 15th, 2015

All magic has its price, and no one knows that better than Victoria Warrick. Gifted with a centuries-old blood curse, Tori has finally learned to master her blood’s demands and has emerged triumphant with Christian Devereux, a vampire overlord, at her side.

But the worst is yet to come …

In the infamous City of Lights, home to both the Witch Clans and the Vampire Council, Tori enrolls at the exclusive Belles Fontaines school in Paris, where she is faced with a devastating choice: choose Christian and be an outcast, or choose the coven and secure her place with the witches.

When the fate of the supernatural world is targeted by a sinister new threat, Christian and Victoria must unite their two warring species to defeat it. Their bond will be tested, twisted, and sorely weakened, and Tori will find herself in uncharted territory—a dangerous place to be when her blood’s magic has its own dark agenda.

But to save them all, she may have no choice but to invoke its deadly power.

PURCHASE

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----------------------------------------------------

Book #1, Bloodspell

AVAILABLE ON

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for 99¢!

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Excerpt

     With a frustrated growl, he gently but firmly separated their bodies, composing himself with a harsh breath. Victoria sighed and leaned back against the table, watching a muscle work in his jaw. It should be getting easier, but it only seemed to be getting harder—and riskier—for them to be together. Every touch, every look, every kiss drew them closer to the edge of the abyss from which there would be no return—one mistake and one of them would die. Victoria took his cool hands in hers.

     “I love you,” she said as his hands trembled in hers. Touching his cheek, she climbed off his lap, putting some space between them. Despite the distance, she could feel her blood churning wildly, tempting him, inciting him to take it, and she shivered at the volatility of it. Her blood’s siren call was near impossible to resist, and she knew how hard it was for him. He’d once told her that he’d risk the consequences of her blood’s appeal because he couldn’t deprive himself of never being able to touch her.

     Seeing the savage transformation in his face and the tips of teeth pressing into his lower lip, she wondered whether he still thought the same. Christian stood and kissed her fingers, and with the ever-present apology in his eyes, excused himself from the room. Victoria watched him leave, his long, lithe body loping with an easy grace across the back gardens into the forest beyond.

     The château sat at the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, which, as in the days of old, continued to fulfill its function as a royal hunting park, for Christian’s purposes anyway. She pressed a finger to her lips, the impression of his lingering on them. Sometimes she felt like the vampire, as if she were the one who couldn’t get enough of him. And most times, she didn’t know if those feelings were hers or those of her blood. Given the chance, her blood would devour Christian’s very essence until there was nothing left.

     It thrummed in her veins as if sensing her ominous thoughts, its hunger unabated and ever-present. It, too, was voracious and would consume anything to sate its dark thirst—even the one she loved. Victoria shivered, wrapping her arms about herself and staring toward the forest lost in thought. She wasn’t afraid of Christian or the fact that he was a vampire. After all, she was more of a monster than he could ever be.

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About the Author

AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island (Trinidad & Tobago) where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. 25 countries, surfing with sharks and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.

An aspiring writer from a young age, Amalie’s poem “The Candle,” written at age twelve, was published in a University of Warwick journal. At fifteen, she was  a recipient of a Royal Commonwealth Society Essay Award (a global youth writing competition). A Colby College graduate, she completed simultaneous Honors Theses in both French and International Studies, and graduated Summa Cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa. At Colby, she was cited for research and criticism in Raffael Scheck’s article, “German Conservatism and Female Political Activism in the Early Weimar Republic,” and his subsequent book, Mothers of the Nation. She also received a distinction in English Literature from the University of Cambridge (A-levels) as well as a certificate in French Literature from the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris, France. Traveling the globe, she has worked as a research assistant, marketing representative, teen speaker and global sales executive.

agold-authorShe is the author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, VOYA, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kid’s INDIE NEXT title. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was a #1 Amazon bestseller and a Seventeen Magazine Summer Read. As an author of color and a proud supporter of diversity in fiction, her articles on multicultural fiction have appeared in The Portland Book Review and on the popular Diversity in YA blog. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three children. She is represented by the Liza Royce Agency and is a member of SCBWI.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

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Giveaway

• Kindle Fire giveaway is open to US residents due to shipping restrictions. 
• Paperback copies of BLOODSPELL & BLOODCRAFT are open to US and INT readers.
• This giveaway is sponsored by Amalie Howard. 
• Leading up to the release of BLOODCRAFT, more entries/options will be added to the rafflecopter to double your chances! 

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Stupid Boy (Stupid in Love #2) by Cindy Miles @GCReading @cindymilesbooks

Title: Stupid Boy
Author: Cindy Miles
Series: Stupid in Love #2 (Companion)
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Expected Publication: February 17, 2015

From Cindy Miles, bestselling new adult author of STUPID GIRL, comes the next installment of her blockbuster Stupid in Love series – STUPID BOY.

Brax Jenkins and Olivia Beaumont are the most envied couple at Winston University—but the so-called “virginity dare,” orchestrated by Brax’s old fraternity, almost tore them apart. Now, a new dare is taking shape, and it’s sure to set emotions ablaze--more than ever before.

Winston’s “It Girl” Harper Belle isn’t just president of the Deltas--she’s also a master at keeping her ugly past a secret. So, when the Kappas’ dare hits closer to home for her more than anyone realizes, she devises a competition of her own as payback. Three sorority sisters will seek out a notorious womanizer on campus and--unbeknownst their “mark”--secretly train him to be the perfect boyfriend. Always up for a challenge, Harper targets the biggest player she can find: Brax’s wickedly handsome foster brother Kane McCarthy.

But, Harper discovers there’s much more to Kane than girls, games, and partying. His easy smile belies the quiet, old soul reflected in his deep brown eyes. All it takes is one night, one secret laid bare, and one kiss from Kane to shift Harper’s world on its axis. Suddenly, the girl who’s always walked a straight and narrow path can’t think of anything else except losing control. 

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What’s Love Got To Do With It?

I love a good love story. I’m not talking about a steamy, hot-n-sexy, spin-your-head kind of story. I’m talking good old-fashioned romance. They inspire me, and help me create the kind of characters that I want to read about like Harper Belle and Kane McCarthy in my new Stupid in Love novel – Stupid Boy. There are so many amazing love stories that this blog post would turn into a short story if I named all my faves, so I’ll pick my top three!

Disney’s TARZAN and JANE (the latest 90’s version). Just the intense way Tarzan looks at Jane—like he’s never or never will lay eyes on something so beautiful, so extraordinary, so fascinating. He is so protective over her! Plus, for a cartoon guy, Tarzan was rockin’ the dreads like no other! Cute! (This also reminds me of another favorite, George of the Jungle, with one of my all-time faves, Brendan Frasier. But that’s another blog lol). In Stupid Boy, Kane has that same, penetrating intense stare at Harper. He just can’t help himself. He’s so into her. He connects on a level that some never even dream of connecting on.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, George Bailey and Mary Hatch. I adore this movie and I adore this couple! Mary has her sights set on Georgie from a very young age, and when she leans across the soda fountain counter and whispers in his ear “George Bailey, I’ll love ya till the day I die”, I mean, wow! Then, as they’ve grown older, and George has finally matured and notices Mary? Their love is desperate and all-consuming. He chooses her over a lifetime of desire to leave town and travel the world. She is the most important thing in his life. And that’s how Kane and Harper feel. Like they’ve met their soulmates, and that no one else will do. You see it in every desperate scene, every intense stare, every kiss.

Thirdly, a total classic. You might not view this as a love story, actually. But it’s one of my favorites and even though the romance is a passing moment in time in the movie, it throws a hard punch in my book. BACK TO THE FUTURE. No, not adorable Marty McFly (I will always love him!) and his girl Jennifer. But Marty’s parents, GEORGE MCFLY AND LORRAINE BAINES. If you’ve watched the movie sixty-two times like I have (after a while it’s fun to count), or less, you’ll know it’s this scene: George McFly bravely (while profusely sweating and looking nauseous lol) walks up to Lorraine in the soda shop, gives her this deep, intense look (through his black-framed glasses) and says “Lorraine. My density has brought me to you.” And Lorraine says, “Wait a minute. Don’t I know you from somewhere?” And George says, “I’m George McFly. I’m your density.” THEN, his look deepens as he realizes his mistake, and also realizes the truth of his words. “I mean, your destiny.” I mean RIGHT THERE. I love it! Quirky as it may sound, these little tidbits and flashback romances inspire me. And I know Kane feels that very same way about Harper. As if they were simply meant to be.

Do you have a favorite romance story that remains with you long after the book has closed or the movie credits have rolled?

About Cindy

National bestselling author Cindy Miles writes edgy romance, ranging from contemporary love stories to sexy paranormals. A native of southern coastal Georgia, she loves reading (naturally), baking swoon-worthy desserts, traveling abroad, yoga, and classic rock. The cover for her upcoming New Adult romance, STUPID GIRL, was featured on USA Today’s Happily Ever After blog. In the novel, a volatile mix of bad boys, sassy smart girls, dark secrets, and red-hot romance add up to one wild ride through college.

Hang out with Cindy on her Facebook fan page at: https://www.facebook.com/officialcindymilesfanpage

Or check out her website: http://www.cindy-miles.com/

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Blog Tour: Make It Last (Bowler University #3) by Megan Erickson @MeganErickson_ @Morrow_PB @GCReading

Title: Make it Last
Author: Megan Erickson
Series: Bowler University #3
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publication: January 6th, 2014 by William Morrow Impulse

After graduating from Bowler University, the last place Cam Ruiz ever expected to find himself is his hometown. A bad job as a bouncer and worry over his mom’s health make living in Paradise anything but. There’s only one thing that can make his return any harder—running into the only girl he’s ever loved.

Tate Ellison made a mistake when she was eighteen, one that cost her the best thing she’s ever had. She’s always hoped the regret of losing Cam would fade over time. Too bad it’s only grown. She took comfort in the fact she’d never have to face him again, so his presence in Paradise throws her for a loop.

The pull between them is instant and when the truth of what happened years ago tumbles out, they share a mind-blowing kiss...which leads to more. But the past has a way of repeating itself. When all the cards are on the table, Cam and Tate must decide what they are willing to do to make it last.

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Brooke's Review:

I want to thank William Morrow Impulse for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give an honest review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.

Let me start by saying I'm a huge fan of this series. When I read the summary for the first book and found out the male MC was a nerdy, not guy, I just could not resist. From then on I was hooked. So when I had the opportunity to read the second book, I jumped at the chance because...MAX! Need I say more. So of course, diving into a book about Cam was right up my alley and I could not wait to read his story.

What I think I liked most about the premise of this book is that it doesn't actually take place on the college campus. I do like NA books that use that setting, but this one veered from there and took Cam back to his home town. It was great to see him in this old element, to experience him as totally different than what I was seeing in the other books (where he was basically the hot guy that hooked up with all the girls but never settled down). And better yet, there was a reason Cam was like this, and this book told that story.

Tate, on the other hand, is a brand new character to us. She's someone we had no clue about until she's introduced to us in this book. At first, I wasn't so happy with her. I mean, she broke Cam's heart and I wasn't sure I could like her for that. But then you learn the story and delve deeper into what really happened when Cam and Tate were eighteen, and you find she's not exactly what you thought she was.

The best part of this book was Erickson taking a character that I didn't care too much for, after all he was a man whore, and turning him into something I totally didn't expect. Not only did he serve his country, but he is smart enough to have graduated very fast from college. And then he's sweet enough and loyal enough to know when he's needed at home.

Of course Tate and Cam have their issues throughout the book. Neither one of them quite willing to give themselves wholly to each other (after all, there might be more heart break and who can endure losing the love of their life more than once, right?). But they do stay strong and overcome so much to make things work.

Erickson also introduces us to a few new characters: Cam's mother, Tate's dad and brother, and one of Cam's old high school buddies. I know Erickson has said this is the final book, but oh how I would love to have some of the back story and forward story of these characters.

Overall I will say that this is not my favorite of the books (no one can top Alec for me, sorry), but I really enjoyed it. And I'm certainly now a firm fan of Erickson and will read anything she writes (it helps that she's one of the most personable authors I have ever met and actually contacted me when this book went up on Edelweiss to let me know I should request it!). Fans of Colleen Hoover, Cora Caramack, and Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn will fall head over heels for Erickson's stories! If you're looking for a series that has characters come together through thick and thin, where you're not always sure there will be a HEA, but then you know there just has to be, then this is the one for you!

About Megan

Megan Erickson grew up in a family that averages 5’5” on a good day and started writing to create characters who could reach the top kitchen shelf.

She’s got a couple of tattoos, has a thing for gladiators and has been called a crazy cat lady. After working as a journalist for years, she decided she liked creating her own endings better and switched back to fiction.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. And no, she still can’t reach the stupid top shelf.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

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WATERFELL IS ALMOST HERE! @AmalieHoward @GCReading

WATERFELL PRE-ORDER CONTEST

If you preorder Waterfell by OCTOBER 28th 2013, 200 random winners will receive a signed Waterfell bookmark, signed bookplate, and a cool Waterfell tattoo. In addition to this prize pack, you will be entered to a super-awesome grand prize: an IPAD MINI (worth $350). Here’s how to enter: You must preorder Waterfell (physical or e-book) by OCTOBER 28th to be entered into the giveaway. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below. No entries after October 28th will be counted. If your name is drawn for the grand prize, we will verify your emailed receipt that matches the date you entered (since this prize has a cash value). All receipts MUST be submitted prior to the draw date. If we pick a winner and no receipt has been submitted, another winner will be chosen. ALL ENTRIES WILL BE VERIFIED. NOTE: The prize for this contest is not open internationally because of issues with taxes on mailing gifts. But if you are an international reader, you should definitely still preorder Waterfell. If you are one of the 200 prize pack winners, you will receive the signed bookmark, signed bookplate and tattoo. Every qualifying entrant (see prize rules) will receive a #WaterfellProm ticket for another chance to win an iPad Mini. a Rafflecopter giveaway