Review | The Mall by Megan McCafferty

DeAnneLeave a comment

The year is 1991. Scrunchies, mixtapes and 90210 are, like, totally fresh. Cassie Worthy is psyched to spend the summer after graduation working at the Parkway Center Mall. In six weeks, she and her boyfriend head off to college in NYC to fulfill The Plan: higher education and happily ever after.

But you know what they say about the best laid plans…

Set entirely in a classic “monument to consumerism,” the novel follows Cassie as she finds friendship, love, and ultimately herself, in the most unexpected of places. Megan McCafferty, beloved New York Times bestselling author of the Jessica Darling series, takes readers on an epic trip back in time to The Mall.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

When I first heard about this book, I was beyond excited – set in the 90s, in a mall? Sign me up. As someone who grew up in the 90s, I was all about the nostalgia I hoped this would make me feel. It was all that and more, I found myself frequently having bouts of full on laughter as I read this book. Yes, it’s absolutely cheesy and over the top at times, but let’s be honest – so were the 90s. The mystery/treasure hunt aspect was a surprise and so fun to read – it was like The Goonies set in a mall.

Hilarity aside, it was also a story about Cassie and her journey through this last summer in her hometown. She went through a transformation, which was not always through good decisions, but in the end she learned so much about who she really wanted to be.

Thanks so much to Wednesday Books for sending me an ARC of this one! The Mall is out now, so be sure to pick up a copy!

Happy reading!

Cover Reveal | Touch of Evil by Cecy Robson

DeAnne1 Comment

Today I am excited to share the cover of Touch of Evil. International and award-winning author Cecy Robson shares the newest novel in her Weird Girls urban fantasy series. The tenth book in the Weird Girls series and first novel in the Touch series featuring Emme Wird.

Touch of Evil

Available October 13, 2020

The award-winning Weird Girls series has continued to delight fans with breathtaking paranormal romance stories told through Celia and Taran’s point of views. Now it is the youngest sister, Emme’s turn to share her story with readers.

Emme Wird, the healer and powerful telekinetic, hasn’t had the best luck with males. Her sisters have found their mates and their forever loves. After a series of disastrous dates, Emme will settle for a decent meal and polite conversation. 

When the pack member Emme had dinner with is found dead, it is up to Emme and her werewolf pal Bren to solve his murder. But spine-tingling danger and touches with evil have ways of bringing close friends closer in ways neither would have expected. 

Could the male Emme has searched for be right in front of her, as he has been all along? Or will evil snatch him away from her, just as it did once before?

Amazon | iTunes | B&N | Kobo | Goodreads

Read an Excerpt

There’s a naked werewolf standing in front of me.

Let me kindly explain.

There’s a naked werewolf—a man who can change into a werewolf—standing naked, in human form, in front of me.

They do that a lot, change from beast to full naked glory. Typically, it’s pre and post bloody battle for the sake of the world and to protect its unsuspecting human populace. However awkward, I’m used to it.

“Like what you see?” he asks.

Make that sort of used to it.

He flexes and gives a little thrust to show off what he thinks are some delectable goods and oh, my…he has three testicles.

I slap my hands over my eyes. I take it back. I take it all back. I’m not used to all this.

“Emme,” Ted asks. “Did you just gag?”

I’m not a rude person.

I’m not a liar.

            “Yes?” is my response.

Ted is a lot bigger than me. He’s also stronger and can snap my spine without changing to his beast counterpart. I keep my hands over my eyes. As a nurse by trade, and a supernatural fighter by sheer terrible luck, I have seen things, ugly, frightening, and unexceptionally evil things, and I’ve encountered creatures so menacing mere thoughts reduce me to trembles.

I draw the line at extra testicles.

The sound of slapping and bouncing skin causes me to shrink inward. Ted seems to be putting on quite the show. Honestly, it sounds like a one-man juggling show involving best-left-covered body parts.

I’m tired of dating Teds.

And humans, they wouldn’t survive me or the world my sisters and I were thrown into.

No, in order to be with me you must have something special.

And I’m not referring to what Ted is currently playing with.

My hands slip away from my face when I sense his approach.

“In my world, I’m revered for my virility,” he says to my back.

“Mm-hmm,” I reply. I pity the packmate forced to run behind him.

Ted is either referring to his obscenely large member weres are known for (“They’re built for attracting females,” my perky sister once explained) or the extra semen sack dangling halfway down his thigh. Neither impress me and neither does Ted.

I carefully step over the second of two discarded pizza boxes and make my way toward the exit.

My steps slow as I reach the door.

I turn to me left, then to my right. Something else is here.

Dread and resentment drag their long spindly fingers across my skin and hate coats my tongue.

I’m scared and on guard, and it’s not because of Ted.


About the Author

Cecy Robson is an international and multi-award-winning author of over twenty-five character driven novels. A registered nurse of eighteen years, Cecy spends her free time creating magical worlds, heart-stopping romance, and young adult adventure. After receiving two RITA® nominations, the Maggie Award, the Award of Excellence, and a National Reader’s Choice Award nomination, you can still find Cecy laughing, crying, and cheering on her characters as she pens her next story.

Website | Twitter | Facebook |Newsletter | Instagram | BookBub

Giveaway


a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Review | With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo

DeAnne1 Comment

With her daughter to care for and her abuela to help support, high school senior Emoni Santiago has to make the tough decisions, and do what must be done. The one place she can let her responsibilities go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness. Still, she knows she doesn’t have enough time for her school’s new culinary arts class, doesn’t have the money for the class’s trip to Spain — and shouldn’t still be dreaming of someday working in a real kitchen. But even with all the rules she has for her life — and all the rules everyone expects her to play by — once Emoni starts cooking, her only real choice is to let her talent break free.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

After loving the Poet X, I was super eager to get to this book, but was hesitant because I didn’t know if I would enjoy Elizabeth Acevedo’s prose as much as I loved her verse. I needn’t have worried because honestly, I loved it just as much. She paints the imagery of her characters and their lives so beautifully, the format of the writing doesn’t matter. My heart hurt for so many of the characters in this book, not just Emoni, and I also rejoiced in their victories and achievements. Everyone went through different growth and setbacks, everyone had their own secrets and history, and I just loved it. Plus her descriptions of all the food featured in the book made me wish I could taste all of the dishes and experience them the same way Emoni did.

This book has really cemented Acevedo as an auto buy author, no matter what format she writes in. I love the raw truth and heart she brings to her characters and the overall story and absolutely can’t wait to read more.

Happy reading!

Camp NaNoWriMo | Update

DeAnne2 Comments

Well here we are almost at the end of July, which means almost the end of Camp NaNoWriMo and sadly I again didn’t do as well as I’d hoped.

Let’s be real, anyone who isn’t suffering from some shift in their mental health, concentration, etc during this global pandemic is extremely lucky. I’ve had a hard time concentrating on anything, in a lot of instances I’ve been able to push through, but writing has been hard.

I’ve been doing more reading and editing of my work than writing, but at least I was able to write a few thousand words. It’s better than nothing but I wish I could have gotten into the groove more.

How did everyone else do? Happy writing!

Harlequin Christmas in July Sale | $1.99 Holiday ebooks

DeAnneLeave a comment

Harlequin is having another great sale right now and I just had to tell you all about it! Until the 28th they have 130 Christmas themed ebooks available for only $1.99, which is a savings of 40-70% off.

These prices are available on both their site and through Barnes and Noble Nook, make sure to check out the links below!

Harlequin.com | Barnes and Noble NOOK

Make sure to pick up the titles that sound good to you before the sale ends! Happy reading!

Review | Moonstruck Vol. 2 – Some Enchanted Evening

DeAnneLeave a comment

Werewolf barista Julie and her supernatural friends try to unwind at a party, but a conniving fraternity of fairy bros has other plans for our heroes. With one of their friends trapped in the frat house and the winter solstice (a notable night of magical mischief) looming ever-closer, it’s up to the amorous werewolves and gregarious centaur to save the day.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I was hoping to love this volume as much as I loved the first volume, but couldn’t quite get there. The constant fighting between Julie and Selena. I did appreciate that Selena got called out on her behavior, but there was just a little too much. I still loved the characters (let’s be honest, Chet is the most precious being) and the art style, but overall the story just didn’t gel for me.

Obviously Julie and Selena have a lot of things to work out, but some of the constant misunderstandings and arguments just really dampened the story for me. The fairies and their storylines were cool, but felt a little disjointed and incomplete.

I’m still interested to see what comes next, but a little worried that I won’t like it if it continues in the same vein.

Happy reading!

Giveaway Reminder | 200 Follower Giveaway

DeAnneLeave a comment

Hey everyone! Just wanted to post a quick reminder that if you haven’t already entered my giveaway to win a book of your choice from Book Depository (as long as BD ships to you) up to $15.00 – time is running out!

The rafflecopter link for the blog portion of the giveaway is below, but don’t forget that you can also enter a second giveaway on my twitter! You can enter the twitter giveaway by retweeting the giveaway tweet AND following me on twitter (if you already follow that counts of course).

Click Here to Enter!

You can enter both giveaways, but there will be two separate winners. Both giveaways will end on 7/26 and I will contact the winners at that point.

I’m super excited to be able to do this for my followers and thank each and every one of you for taking the time to like and read my content!

Happy reading!

Blitz | Inherent Fate by Alicia Anthony

DeAnneLeave a comment

Inherent Fate
Alicia Anthony
(Blood Secrets, #3)
Publication date: July 21st 2020
Genres: Psychological, Suspense

A discarded asset stripped of her identity…

An emotionally scarred ex-agent…

An innocent life hanging in the balance…

Who would you trust if the world was out to get you?

Losing Liv Sullivan in a Bureau operation gone bad turned ex-agent Ridge McCaffrey into a broken man. So when fate reunites him with the woman he thought was dead, he’ll risk anything to make her part of his life again.

Liv Sullivan returned to the States with two goals: end the FBI’s corrupt GenLink psychic intelligence program and reclaim the life it stole from her. But when the case against GenLink exposes a threat against Ridge’s son, the cost becomes too great. Refusing to destroy more lives, she leaves Ridge, and the chance to reclaim her identity, behind.

But as a new generation of GenLink closes in, once-trusted allies become enemies, and long-buried secrets threaten.

Can Liv and Ridge end GenLink before echoes of the past destroy their future?

Inherent Fate is the compelling third installment in the Blood Secrets psychological suspense series. For fast-paced, emotionally intense story lines that keep you up past your bedtime, and intricate plots laced with romance, this award-winning series is for you.

Book 3 of 3. Series is best enjoyed in sequence.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

The unmistakable thunk of a body. The involuntary exhale of someone having the wind knocked out of them–female, if Ridge had to guess–was audible even from the window side of his hotel room.

“Christ, Evan, watch yourself.” Tony’s voice, loud and unmistakable, filtered from under the doorway as Ridge moved toward the door. “She’s not the enemy.”

Tightness gripped Ridge’s chest and he pushed the desk chair out of his way, toppling it to the floor as he brushed past.

“This was your choice, Olivia.” The words stopped him cold–the chill of the metal door handle colliding with the heat of his fingers sent a spiral of anxiety up his spine.

“You knew there’d be consequences. You can’t change your mind now. It’s too late.”

Ridge pushed the balloon of air from his lungs and rested his forehead against the faux wood veneer above the peephole. He forced reason to join the ranks of uncontrollable hope that swelled in his chest.

“No one ever said this would be easy,” Michelle continued. Only she and Tony were visible from Ridge’s fishbowl view.

“Let. Me. Go.” That voice, those words punctuated by restorative breath, stole every fiber of logic from Ridge’s body. He swung the door open and stepped into the hall.

His breath caught as he met her gaze. Real. Tangible. Here. A thump of blood rushed against his eardrums, silenced by the breath of her name sliding across his lips. “Liv.”

Author Bio:

Alicia Anthony’s first novels were illegible scribbles on the back of her truck driver father’s logbook trip tickets. Having graduated from scribbles to laptop, she now pens novels of psychological suspense in the quiet of the wee morning hours. A full-time elementary school Literacy Specialist, Alicia hopes to pass on her passion for books and writing to the students she teaches.

A two time Golden Heart® finalist and Silver Quill Award winner, Alicia finds her inspiration in exploring the dark, dusty corners of the human experience. Alicia is a graduate of Spalding University’s School of Creative & Professional Writing (MFA), Ashland University (M.Ed.) and THE Ohio State University (BA). Go Bucks! She lives in rural south-central Ohio with her amazingly patient and supportive husband, incredibly understanding teenage daughter, two dogs, three horses, a plethora of both visiting and resident barn cats, and some feral raccoons who have worn out their welcome.

When she’s not writing or teaching, Alicia loves to travel and experience new places. Connect with her on Facebook or Instagram @AliciaAnthonyBooks. She’d love to hear from you!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

XBTBanner1

Harlequin Christmas In July Watch Party

DeAnneLeave a comment

I have something exciting to talk about today. Tomorrow, July 23rd, Harlequin is hosting a free Facebook Live movie watch party, featuring the book-to-movie adaptation A Very Country Christmas. The movie is based on the Harlequin Special Edition novel His Country Cinderella by Karen Rose Smith.

DATE: Thursday, July 23, 2020
START-TIME: 5:00 p.m. PST / 7:00 p.m. CST / 8:00 p.m. EST

Make sure to RSVP at HarlequinWatchParty.com to receive viewing details, a calendar reminder and a watch-party guide complete with snack, drink and décor ideas! To get the free watch party guide complete with snack, drink and Christmas décor ideas, click “Find Tickets” at HarlequinWatchParty.com to register for your free Eventbrite ticket.

Want to know more about the book? Read on:

Hold on to your Stetsons! A reliable source tells me that Zane Gunther is hiding out in Thunder Canyon. Now the tweets and texts are flying about the music legend and a certain single mom who’s having trouble making ends meet Zane came to the Montana mountain town to escape the paparazzi and a tragedy he can’t forget. But keeping a low profile seems next to impossible, especially once he falls hard for local girl Jeannette Williams. Is this cowboy looking to make a home in Thunder Canyon? Stay tuned, loyal readers, to see if Zane is getting ready to propose to the widowed waitress who’s already gaga over him by crooning a love song straight from his heart.

Purchase links | Amazon | Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Harlequin.com

Award-winning author Karen Rose Smith lives in Pennsylvania and has sold over 80 novels since 1991. Her romances have made both the USA TODAY list and the Amazon Contemporary Romance Bestseller list. Believing in the power of love, she envisions herself writing relationship novels and mysteries for a long time to come! Readers can e-mail Karen at http://www.karenrosesmith.com or follow her on Twitter @karenrosesmith and on Facebook.

Happy watching and reading!

Cover Reveal | Talk Derby To Me by R.H. Tucker

DeAnneLeave a comment

Talk Derby to Me
R.H. Tucker
Publication date: August 2020
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

As the editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper, Evan Maldonado is right on track for college next year and pursuing his dream of being a journalist. To put the finishing touch on his college applications, he’s taking an intern position with a well-known newspaper where he’ll receive a letter of recommendation from the editor. There’s just one little problem. The business intern spot he was expecting to get is taken. The only other position they have available is covering the local roller derby league.

Mari Valdez isn’t worried about getting into college. All she’s concerned with is getting through the repulsive world of high school. Sure, she has her best friend, but she still has to put up with teasing because of her multi-colored hair or bruises. The bruises are from roller derby, by the way, the only thing that Mari looks forward to. It’s been her safe haven since her world imploded.

In order to get more information on the derby league, Evan follows Mari to her practices and games. To call their friendship rocky would be an understatement, but the more Evan and Mari are together, the more they seem to connect. When Mari’s personal life boils over, she finds herself confiding in Evan. And just when everything seems to be coming together for the two, a horrible mistake may separate them for good.

Talk Derby to Me is a stand-alone, YA romance novel.

Add to Goodreads


Author Bio:

RH Tucker writes cute & edgy YA romance. He also lives in Southern California, consumes too much caffeine, eats too much pizza, and firmly believes Rocky Road is the best flavor of ice cream.

You can sign up for my newsletter for previews, excerpts, and short stories at:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter


XBTBanner1