  Neliem by Clare DiLiscia Publication Date: May 21, 2019 | Publisher: Month9Books SYNOPSIS: Half the population of the island of Madera are dead, killed by an unforgiving and indiscriminate plague. Oriana dreams of escaping her life of ruthless cruelty from the people who now rule over those who remain. No telling whom the plague will strike next, Oriana means to find freedom for herself and her people. Drawing strength from ancient tales of her enemy, young Oriana transforms herself from victim to warrior with the help of a mysterious and powerful dagger given to her by a kind and dying boy. Years later, during her enemy’s betrothal ritual, Ezra, a boy she has never before seen, selects her as his mate. With servitude her only option, Oriana accepts the offer. Whisked away to a seemingly perfect world, Oriana discovers sinister secrets at every turn, including the identity of Tristan, a boy with whom she shares an undeniable but impossible connection. Why would a boy she doesn’t know wish her to be his betrothed? Why does she feel such a strong pull toward a stranger? Someone in Ezra’s family not only knows the answer to both those questions, but also about the dagger Oriana possesses. He will do anything to stop the union. Now, with everything on the line, Oriana turns inward to find the strength she needs to seize the full power of the dagger so that she may protect herself and save her people. Link to Goodreads | ~ Purchase Links: Google Play | Amazon | Chapters | B&N | Kobo  AUTHOR BIO:Born in Queens, New York, Clare Di Liscia moved to California as a small child and grew up in the hills by Dodger Stadium. Constantly roaming the woods, she took to embellishing on the stories of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle Duck to fill her imagination. To her horror she soon realized there was no way to fit a miniature tuxedo on a frog. Fortunately in sixth grade, Clare won a short story contest with the grand prize of fifteen happy meals. She would like to point out that two of those meal tickets were missing by the time her mother handed over her prize. After traveling extensively throughout South America and the Caribbean, Clare attended KU Leuven, in Belgium for University where she studied Dutch and French. Clare graduated from Cal State Northridge Film School, earning Dean’s List recognition with a BA in TV/Film. In 2006 she placed in the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting beating out 4700 other applicants. After joining SCBWI, Clare won 1st place HM in the Sue Alexander for her YA novel, now entitled NELIEM. Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads  Giveaway Info:
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Based on a true story.   Book details: Realm by Alexandrea Weis Published by: Vesuvian Books | Publication date: May 14th 2019 Genres: Historical, Young Adult Synopsis: When her homeland is conquered by the mighty Alexander the Great, Roxana—the daughter of a mere chieftain—is torn from her simple life and thrown into a world of war and intrigue. Terrified, the sixteen-year-old girl of renowned beauty is brought before the greatest ruler the world has ever known. Her life is in his hands; her future his to decide. Without formal education or noble blood, Roxana is chosen by the Greek conqueror to be his bride. Soon she comes to know profound happiness and unyielding desire in her warrior’s arms. However, being the king’s consort comes at a heavy price. To survive her husband’s treacherous kingdom, she must endure continuous warfare, deadly plots, jealous rivals, victory-hungry generals, and the stigma of being a barbarian. Persian blood will keep her from claiming the grandest title of all—queen—but her reign will seal the fate of an empire. History tells his story. This is hers. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Apple Books | Kobo |  Realm - Alexandrea Weis What a powerful story! I can't imagine living through all that Roxana went through, and for what? The story is written very well. The characters are all well-developed. It is easy to feel all the emotions they feel. I was so drawn in, I cried through a lot of the book. The cover and title of the book are a perfect match for the story. I highly recommend this book to other readers who enjoy a story full of drama, adventure, romance and is totally action-packed. *Reader Beware: There is some sexual explicitness in the book. I give this book a literary rating of 5/5 written by vickie  AUTHOR BIO: Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers Association, Weis writes mystery, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals. Author links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
 An epic YA adventure story about two friends lost in the Canadian wilderness from Danika Stone, the author of All the Feels.   Book details: Switchback by Danika Stone Published by: Swoon Reads | Publication date: May 28th 2019 Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Synopsis: Vale loves to hike, but kind of hates her classmates. Ash is okay with his classmates, but kind of hates the outdoors. So, needless to say they are both fairly certain that the overnight nature hike with their PE class is going to be a hellish experience. But when they get separated from the group during a storm, they have worse things to worry about than bullies and blisters. Lost in the Canadian wilderness with limited supplies, caught in dangerous weather conditions, and surrounded by deadly wildlife, it’s going to take every bit of strength, skill, and luck they can muster to survive. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play |  Switch Back - Danika Stone Being a person who loves the Rocky Mountains, I really like this story. It is very well-written. I could see myself there hiking with the characters. There is so much adventure and suspense in this story. I love the wildlife included. The characters are well-developed. Ash and Vale are true best friends. It's great the way they always think of the other one in every situation. It's easy to feel their emotions on every level. I recommend this book to those who love a good adventure. I give this book a literary rating of 5/5 written by vickie Praise for Danika Stone: “An enjoyable, fast-paced read.” — School Library Journal on Internet Famous “The book is a dream. I loved absolutely everything about it. … From the chapter headers to every mention of nerd culture, All the Feels is a blast!” --Seeking Book Boyfriends on All the Feels  AUTHOR BIO: Danika Stone is an author, artist, and educator who discovered a passion for writing fiction while in the throes of her Masters thesis. A self-declared bibliophile, Danika now writes novels for both teens: INTERNET FAMOUS (Macmillan, 2017) and ALL THE FEELS (Macmillan, 2016); and adults THE DARK DIVIDE (Stonehouse, 2018) and EDGE OF WILD (Stonehouse, 2016). Ms. Stone’s work has received both recognition and literary praise. In 2017, Chapters included EDGE OF WILD in “Our Favourite Canadian Fiction”, and INTERNET FAMOUS was nominated for the R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature (2018) as well as selected as one of Fierce Reads’ “9 Perfect Summertime Reads” (2017). EDGE OF WILD (previously entitled TATHAGATA) was a quarter-finalist in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel of the Year Award (2013), a finalist in the Horatio Nelson Fiction Prize (2015), and took second place in the Publish or Perish contest (2015). ALL THE FEELS was selected for Swoon Reads’ fourth list (2015) and was nominated for YALSA’s Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (2016), and for CYBILS’ Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards (2016). Ms. Stone’s books have been reviewed by VOYA, Teen Reads, and School Library Journal. Danika has also featured in the BN Teen Blog, Clash, Quillable, Fierce Reads, Lethbridge Living Magazine, CJSR’s Word, and on CBC’s Daybreak. When not writing, Danika can be found hiking in the Rockies, planning grand adventures, and spending far too much time online. She lives with her husband, three sons, and a houseful of imaginary characters in a windy corner of Alberta, Canada. Ms. Stone is represented by Morty Mint of Mint Literary Agency. Author links: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter
   Book Details: Kingdom of Sand & Wishes: A Limited Edition Collection of Aladdin Retellings Publication date: May 24th 2019 | Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Young Adult Synopsis: Aladdin, but not as you remember it…. On the dusty streets, around the bustling bazaars, being overlooked by a Sultan’s Palace was a land. A land of magic, secrets and treasures buried deep beneath the desert. Through Arabian nights, dark forces are at work. Dark forces that can threaten the peace of everyone in the Kingdom. Watch our authors as they answer the question, can three wishes save the day? Join our award winning and USA Today best selling authors for nine action packed fantasy and contemporary retellings with Sultans, sorcerers, romance and more magic than a genie’s lamp can hold. One click now for your happily ever after…. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon  Three Wishes by J.A.Armitage Her future was mapped out... She would one day be queen… When a curse was cast, trapping Jini in an old lamp, her life ended along with everyone she had ever known and loved. Centuries of darkness passed and then a young man made a wish. He wanted to be the Sultan.... So did she. The only problem? There already was a Sultan and his mysterious son had already laid claim to the throne Read this powerful new rendition of the age old classic, Aladdin, where things are not as they seem and magic might not be enough to save them all. The Djinn Curse By Margo Ryerkerk How far will you go to reclaim your freedom? My name is Roxelana, and my human life was stolen from me. Turned by force into a djinn, I’ve waited for 100 years for a shot at freedom. My current assignment in Istanbul presents an opportunity to break the connection to my lamp and escape my eternal slavery. There’s just one problem. Doing so means sacrificing the sultan prince to the king of djinns. I shouldn’t care about the prince, but I can’t stop myself. He has a pull on me I can’t explain. Coupled with his kindness and the care he shows his people, I’m in deep trouble. When push comes to shove, who will I choose? Him or myself? Filled with adventure, love, magic, and a strong heroine, this clean YA Fairy Tale is the perfect read! If you like K.M Shea, Melanie Cellier, and Kiera Cass, you’ll love this! Granting Wishes (A Once Upon a Curse Prequel) by Kaitlyn Davis She’s about to discover a whole new world… “His words come back to me—magic is the law. I guess I’m making my own set of rules.” Alanna thought rock climbing in Yosemite National Park would be the trip of a lifetime. Until an earthquake strikes and she finds herself plummeting to her death. But instead of slamming into the forest floor, Alanna drops into a secret underground cave where she’s confronted by the impossible—magic. A mysterious man named Erick uses incredible powers to save her life, then tells her that his magical world has collided with earth, merging the two together. Alanna writes it off as crazy, until he shows her a vision of her brother being dragged down a sandy cobblestone street in chains. Crazy or not, she’ll do anything to save him. As Alanna and Erick team up to rescue her brother from the clutches of a decrepit sorcerer king, fate intervenes in the form of a handsome prince. Alanna doesn’t know who to trust, but in this foreign land, flying solo just might get her killed… Don't miss GRANTING WISHES, a fantasy romance from bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis that reimagines the classic fairy tale of Aladdin. Sultana of Amethyst Sands by Emma Savant A beautiful genie craves her freedom. A handsome prince longs to heal his kingdom. And a con artist named Aladdah has big plans for them all. Between theft, sleight of hand, and her indentured servitude to a powerful magician, Aladdah has always managed to survive the brutal streets of Citron. But survival isn’t enough for a woman of Aladdah’s ambition. She craves more—more food, more power, and more magic than her master has seen fit to teach her. When she demands a greater challenge, her master sends her on a mission into an enchanted cavern beneath the desert sands. There, in an abandoned garden glittering with the lights of precious jewels, Aladdah discovers a genie whose power and beauty are matched only by her determination to escape the bonds of her servitude. But the genie is bound by her magic lamp, subject to Aladdah’s every wish, and it’s an opportunity no self-respecting street rat could resist. Aladdah forms a plan to use the genie to destroy the sultan and establish herself as a new ruler who will turn the savage inequality of Citron on its head. But the sultan has many protectors, from his court magicians to the beautiful, idealistic son who infuriates and enchants Aladdah in equal measure. Her genie fights her at every turn. And her old master will not be dismissed so easily, not when he has a plan to gain power the likes of which the kingdoms have never seen. Sultana of Amethyst Sands is a romantic, fast-paced adventure through the sands of a faraway kingdom of magic, genies, and wishes come true.
 Stars on Ruby Mountain by Author Wendy Jorgensen Blitz + Giveaway! {HURRY! Ends midnight - 5/24/19}5/23/2019   A teenage girl recovers in a Sacramento hospital, the sole survivor of a terrible accident that killed her parents—parents she can’t remember. All she knows for sure is she’s in danger. For the girl, known only as Angie, staying put is not an option. After saving a friend from a vicious attack reveals she’s no ordinary human, Angie races to find a safe place. A chance encounter with the intriguing Michael Winter leads her over the Sierras to Lake Tahoe, where she’s nearly abducted. As she escapes to Colorado, she struggles to unravel who she is and where she came from; instead the mystery of her identity deepens. Her only hope is to find the truth before it’s too late. ~ Wendy's Amazon page ~  Five Fun Facts about Stars on Ruby Mountain 1. The idea for this story originated in 2015 as Wendy and her husband drove by the turnoff to the Ruby Mountains near Elko, Nevada. They were driving a U-Haul as part of a move from Denver to Reno. Wendy had been pondering the storyline for the sequel to Scattering Stars, and the area seemed like a perfect place for aliens to hide out. 2. Wendy has always been fascinated by stories about people with amnesia, so it’s not surprising she decided to write one. The combination of amnesia and aliens was too tempting to pass up. 3. Part of the story is set in Truckee and Lake Tahoe, where Wendy lived for seventeen years. She rafted the Truckee River almost every summer, explored the pristine surroundings of Emerald Bay, and hung out on the beaches at Lake Tahoe more times than she can count. 4. The main character, Angie, has a unique swear word—kaja! The word popped into Wendy’s head, seemingly out of nowhere. After the book was finished, she happened upon a cake recipe she’d pulled from a magazine a couple of years ago. A woman named Chandra had submitted her mom’s recipe: “Kaja’s Pistachio Cake.” Everything we experience lurks in our memory banks waiting to emerge. BTW—the cake is awesome! 5. As Stars on Ruby Mountain was nearly complete, Wendy watched a Hallmark movie called Falling for Vermont. The movie is about a YA science fiction author, whose book/series about a girl with special powers has just been made into a movie. As the author becomes famous, her life spirals out of control. The character’s name is Angela (or Angie as some called her), she has a car crash, loses her memory, and rediscovers who she really is. Coincidence?   ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Wendy C. Jorgensen grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and began writing in second grade, furiously recording her hopes and dreams in a denim-covered diary. Besides hanging out at the library, she loved soaking up the rays—while reading a book, of course. During her sophomore year of high school, Wendy’s family moved to Carson City, Nevada, and she thought her life had ended. The desert, sagebrush, and cowboys were a far cry from the ocean, palm trees, and surfers of Florida. Fortunately, within six months, the family relocated to Lake Tahoe, and her outlook improved dramatically. Wendy started college at the University of Colorado in Boulder, followed by a year at the University of Nevada in Reno and two years at Brigham Young University, where she worked as a reporter and copy editor for The Daily Universe. A decision to take a short break from school turned into a twelve-year college hiatus in Lake Tahoe. After a two-year stint in the civil engineering program at California State University in Sacramento, Wendy returned to Colorado and graduated from CU with a degree in English Writing. It was a long, but valuable, educational journey. After twenty years in Colorado, Wendy recently moved back to Northern Nevada, close enough to Lake Tahoe to enjoy the beautiful scenery but far enough away to escape the heavy winters. She lives with a wonderful husband and a golden retriever who’s often mistaken for a sloth. Her two brainy and creative sons make her want to be smarter. Wendy hopes someday to journey to the stars. ~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ 
   Two Like Me and You by Chad Alan Gibbs Publication date: May 20th 2019 | Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Synopsis: Edwin Green’s ex-girlfriend is famous. We’re talking cover-of-every-tabloid-in-the-grocery-store-line famous. She dumped Edwin one year ago on what he refers to as Black Saturday, and in hopes of winning her back, he’s spent the last twelve months trying to become famous himself. It hasn’t gone well. But when a history class assignment pairs Edwin with Parker Haddaway, the mysterious new girl at school, she introduces him to Garland Lenox, a nursing-home-bound World War II veteran who will change Edwin’s life forever. The three escape to France, in search of the old man’s long-lost love, and as word of their adventure spreads, they become media darlings. But when things fall apart, they also become the focus of French authorities. In a race against time, who will find love, and who will only find more heartache? Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo |  Two Like You and Me - Chad Alan Gibbs This is a great read. The stories Garland tells throughout the book are really fun. The characters are all well-developed. Their emotions are easy to fell. Each character had their own personal reasons for their journey and I love that they are doing it for someone besides themselves. The book cover and title are a good fit for the story. I highly recommend this story to others. I give it a literary rating of 5/5 written by Vickie  AUTHOR BIO: Chad Alan Gibbs lives in Alabama with his wife, two sons, two dogs, and an embarrassingly large collection of Star Wars action figures. Two Like Me and You is his first novel. Author links: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter |  Giveaway: Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY!    Book Details: Freshman Sidekick (High School Sidekick, #1) by Ron Tucker Publication date: May 13th 2019 | Genres: Superhero, Young Adult Synopsis: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. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon |   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, or at the movies with a large Diet Coke and a large popcorn--no butter. Author links: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |  GIVEAWAY Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)
To enter, Click on the Rafflecopter link below. RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY!    Book & Author Details: Winging It (Destiny Rules, #1) by Lisa Gail Green Publication date: March 30th 2019 | Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Zach discovers his mom is a fairy godmother. But what’s really freaking him out is the fact that he’s a fairy too. Now that his mom’s been injured, he must finish her assignments before the next full moon or they’re both grounded, meaning no wings, no wands, and no position in the Organization of Destiny Fulfillment (ODF). Sure it would suck to lose his newfound powers, but Zach quickly learns there’s far more at stake. Failure also means messing up the lives of the people he’s supposed to help. Forever. Between a fairy-trainee who happens to be the girl he’s been in love with since fifth grade, a boss he doesn’t trust, and a gremlin physics teacher that wants to eat him, Zach’s pretty sure even a magic wand can’t bail him out. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon | PRAISE... Winging It has been a featured book on WATTPAD and here are just a few of the comments from readers: “ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! BRAVO BRAVO! I sincerely, really loved this book. What was funny is I went out on a wing from werewolf and tried out fantasy and I love it. Your book inspires me to read more fantasy. Excellent story telling.” “Amazing, absolutely amazing. What a beautiful ending.” “I love this ending! It leaves just enough loose ends that imagination can fill in the gaps. Whatever happens next, I’m glad I somehow found this amazing book!” “This was one of the best books I’ve ever read please make a sequel!!” “I really enjoyed the book! And I spent like two whole days reading it.. i couldn't put it down at all XD … And like everyone else if like to read a sequel… soo….SEQUEL!!”  EXCERPT 1: Slipping in a puddle under the broken water fountain should teach me to stop gawking at Jenna Macintyre, but I know it won’t. I fell for her when we were ten, and in the six years since, I’ve continued to fall. And stutter. And make an ass out of myself in general. “Good one, Zachy,” she says, leaning down so that her golden hair swings in my face. She flicks my shoulder, sending shivers down all my nerve endings, straightens up, and heads off toward whatever her next class is. If I had any guts at all I’d call her on all the humiliating things she’s ever said to me, but I don’t. Instead, I wonder if she moves that way on purpose. Her gaggle of wannabes follow in her wake, blocking the view. Their laughter bounces back down the hall even after I hear the door close behind them. It’s only after the final bell rings that I realize I should probably breathe if I want to avoid passing out and drowning in an inch of water. So, I shake myself and stand up, leaning on Emmet. I almost forgot he was there. I groan when I feel the heavy material of my soaked jeans clinging to my legs. Nice. “Loitering now I see, Mr. Slater.” My sixth period Physics teacher’s voice nearly makes me slip again. “But-” I start. “Save it for someone who cares. Get to your next class or I’ll be happy to send you to detention.” Mr. Crown slides his Coke bottle glasses up the bridge of his nose and curls his thin upper lip in distaste. “I had an accident,” I say in a rush. He raises his eyebrows, taking in my pants, and heat floods my face. “Not that kind of accident. I slipped in the hall because of the broken fountain.” I ought to threaten to sue. “That’s what happens when you run in the hallways.” Is he serious? I draw my hands down over my face, trying to collect myself. “Fine. I’m going,” I say, slinging my backpack over my shoulder. “Watch that attitude.” He slams the door to his room, and I flip him off before turning back to Emmet, the only other person left in the now deserted hall. “Take good notes,” I say. “I’m out of here.” “Thank God,” Emmet says. “I thought you were going to actually go to class like that for a minute.”   AUTHOR BIO: Lisa Gail Green writes paranormal and fantasy because she loves to bring life to the stories in her head. WINGING IT, Book 1 of her new YA fantasy series, Destiny Rules, is NOW available. Sign up for her newsletter for more deals and info at LisaGailGreen.com. Oh -- and she would most definitely have a werewolf for a pet if she weren't allergic. Author links: WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS |  GIVEAWAY!\ Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY!    8 Souls by Rachel Rust Publication Date: May 6, 2019 | Publisher: Entangled Teen All her life, seventeen-year-old Chessie has had recurring dreams about a little white farmhouse. Quaint? Not quite. The house is the site of the unsolved murders of Villisca, Iowa, where eight people were slaughtered in 1912. With her parents on the verge of divorce, Chessie is stuck spending the summer with her grandparents in Villisca—right across the street from the axe murder house. She’s soon hearing voices calling out for help and begins unraveling a link between herself and the town’s bloody history. And when she falls for a cute boy harboring a big secret, the pieces fall into place as she at last discovers the truth of Villisca's gruesome past… Add to GOODREADS | ~ Purchase Links: Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon Canada | B&N | iBooks | Kobo |  ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rachel Rust is a YA author who loves all things mysterious, romantic, and thrilling. Her favorite stories have twisty plots, and if it's a whodunit, she's all about it. When not making up stories, Rachel can usually be found with her family and their two dogs -- a pug and a chug (chihuahua/pug). Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads  Giveaway Details: Prize: A Signed copy of 8 Souls To Enter, Click on the Rafflecopter Link below. RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY! Link to Tour Schedule:    Book details: The Rule of Many (The Rule of One #2) by Ashley Saunders Published by: Skyscape | Publication date: May 7th 2019 Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult Synopsis: Born to a death sentence in a near-future America, rebellious sisters herald a revolution—if they can survive. Twins Ava and Mira Goodwin defy the Rule of One simply by existing. The single-child law, ruthlessly enforced by Texas’s Governor Roth, has made the sisters famous fugitives and inspirations for the resurgent rebellion known as the Common. But the relentless governor and his implacable Texas State Guard threaten that fragile hope, as Roth consolidates his power in a bid for ultimate authority. As Ava and Mira relinquish the relative safety of their Canadian haven to stand against Roth, new allies arise: Owen, a gifted young programmer, impulsively abandons his comfortable life in a moment of compassion, while Zee, an abused labor camp escapee, finds new purpose in resistance. The four will converge on Dallas for a reckoning with Roth, with nothing less than their destinies—and the promise of a future free from oppression—on the line. Disobedience means death. But a life worth living demands rebellion. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon |  EXCERPT: AVA “You’re back,” I say, rising from my bed. Everyone in the room stands, acknowledging Emery as leader of the Common. She wears her signature look: an unstructured, slightly oversized yellow coat that ends at her knees. Her rich nut-brown hair is short and wild like Einstein’s, and she’s taller than everyone in her small entourage. The more I’ve studied Emery—my mother’s childhood best friend—during my stay here at the Paramount, the more I’ve discovered she’s not the perfectly straitlaced leader I’d expected her to be. Looking closely, I can see the rough edges that hint at the woman she was before having to bear the weight of being the rebellion’s leader. The leftover holes from a double eyebrow piercing above her left eye, the way she bites the inside of her cheeks when she’s angry, as if withholding a fiery reaction. A poorly healed scar just below her collarbone. It all makes me like her even more. Emery studies the room, her intent gaze passing over all the young faces eager and willing to carry out her orders, however small. We’re all unified in the reason we’re here with the Common, so far from our homes, and I find an unhappy comfort in the shared white-hot pain of loss. And the anger that comes with it. “It’s good to see you all again,” Emery says. She nods to each of us in greeting. “May I have the room? I need to speak with Ava and Mira.” The Games Club immediately disassembles, Barend directing everyone out into the hall. He shuts the door and turns on his heel, returning to his post inside our room. Three members of Emery’s inner circle remain at her side. They’re all Elders, members who’ve been a part of the Common the longest. Their faces are hardened with world-weariness, and although I’ve never spoken to any of them personally, Pawel tells me they’ve each seen the inside of a prison cell more than once. The door opens, and a young woman who looks a few years over twenty strides with pure confidence into the room. She stands a short distance from the group, unchallenged by Barend. She must be a new recruit, and an important one if she’s included in Emery’s close circle. The young woman’s jet-black hair is pulled back tightly into two French braids, highlighting her dark eyes with their long, intense lashes. If the eyes truly are a window to the soul, hers has taken more than a few beatings. Mira clasps Emery’s shoulder in welcome before asking, “Did you find him this time? You’re back early—did something go wrong?” Countless missions to rescue my father have led to nothing but disappointment. Wherever Roth is hiding his former Family Planning Director, he’s making damn sure he’ll never be found. All four Common Elders lower their heads. Something did go wrong. Horribly wrong. My stomach drops like a heavy anchor cut loose into the sea. “What happened?” I demand, stepping forward. His execution date has been moved up. The Guard caught wind of our extraction plans and changed his location . . . Emery raises her head, biting the inside of her cheeks, hard. “It’s with great sorrow that I have to inform you of your father’s murder,” she tells us straight. “I am sorry that we could not get to Darren in time.” He’s dead. My father’s dead. I’ve learned to always prepare for bad news, but I wasn’t prepared for this. Through a haze of salted tears, I lurch backward. Mira catches me, and I hold on to my sister tight—our combined strength the only thing that keeps me from shattering against the floor. “No, no, no . . . you said Roth wouldn’t kill him!” I cry. “You said he wouldn’t risk turning the people to our side!” “What about the stay of execution!” Mira says in disbelief. “The official statement from the Governor’s Mansion is that it was a suicide,” Emery says. “Roth made a speech, weaving a story that Darren hanged himself with his bedsheets during the night, leaving behind a note detailing his great regret for his traitorous crimes against his country and its people.” A cold panic rushes through my body, and I feel faint. Mira shakes uncontrollably beside me. I turn to my sister, and both our green eyes scream, Lies! Father would never, never take his own life. He would fight until the bitter end to get back to us. “The note said his greatest shame of all was raising illegal twin daughters who turned into dangerous traitors themselves.” Roth is using our own father against us. Bile rises to my throat, and my knees falter. Emery seizes both our shoulders, pulling us close, making sure we listen. “We know both the suicide and the note are bullshit. We know just before sunrise, Roth entered Darren’s cell and shot your father in cold blood.” I try to break free of Emery and my sister. I can’t breathe. I need space for my heartache, but Emery grips my shoulder harder. “Listen to me. We have the surveillance video. Your father’s killing will not be buried. Roth’s corruption will be exposed—another link in his chain of lies. Your father will continue to help the cause even in death, as your mother did.” “The video could be fake, too, just like the suicide note. He could still be alive!” I find myself pleading. The new recruit with the French braids steps forward, shaking her head. Her eyes soften with sympathy. “I wish that were true.” She pulls something from her jacket’s inner pocket and carefully opens her palm: a metal capsule the size of my fingernail. Father’s microchip. “I was held in the same prison as your father,” the young woman explains, her steady voice struggling to break through the fog of despair that separates me from everything else in the room. “While the Common arrived too late to rescue your father, they were able to rescue me.” Who is this person? Why was she imprisoned, and how did she gain access to my father’s chip? It’s always a never-ending maze of questions. “Scan the chip,” Mira says, her voice hollow. Barend produces a microchip scanner from his duty belt—he always seems to have the necessary tool or weapon—and hands the device to Emery to scan. Ping. A death record pops up on the chip scanner’s screen: Name: DR. DARREN JAMES GOODWIN Status: DECEASED Cause of death: SUICIDE Burial location: UNKNOWN The only thing I have left of my father is this tiny scrap of metal with his blood still on it. Where is his body? I want to scream. “It’s Darren’s chip. It has been authenticated,” Emery declares with full conviction. “Skye Lin has been fighting for the Common’s cause for half her life. She turned a Guard at the prison, who gave her the chip and surveillance video in the midst of our rescue mission.” Skye Lin. The assassin who poisoned two states’ Family Planning Directors and made an unsuccessful attempt on my own father’s life. I’ve never seen her face; after she was arrested in Dallas five years ago, Roth banned images of the teenage murderer across all media outlets. Before Mira and me, criminals were not lionized in Texas; they did not become famous. They were thrown in dark cells and never heard from again. “I didn’t know your dad was a member of the Common,” Skye insists. “I wasn’t trying to kill him. I was trying to kill his office.” The Family Planning Division. With that, she turns and walks out, leaving Mira and me drowning in confusion. “I want to see the surveillance video,” Mira says from beside me. Taken aback, I turn to face my sister. “You want to watch our father’s murder?” “I have to see it for myself.” She looks up at me, her eyes red and glassy with anguish. “We were raised on so many secrets, Ava. I just have to see.” I shake my head. “I can’t.” As I move to leave the room—I need the open air; the hurt inside me suddenly seems too large for this crowded space—Emery holds up her hand to stop me. “We leave for the Common’s headquarters in the morning—Paramount Point Lodge. You both are needed there. I can explain more tomorrow, but for now take the time to grieve.” She lowers her head in a respectful bow. “Your father was a brave man.” Chills run through my body. Rayla had said those same words. He wants a better future for you both. I close my eyes and remember Father’s greatest lesson: it takes iron to sharpen iron. Metal bullets forged my father’s death into a cast-iron weight that sits at the bottom of my heart. To be brave like my father, I must endure the painful process of honing. I must become so sharp that no one can touch me or mine again. “Show me the surveillance video,” Mira demands once more. “It will not be easy to watch, but the choice is yours to make,” Emery says. Visions of my father tied helplessly to a chair, Roth standing over him with a gun, a smug smile on his lips . . . No! I rip open my eyes and push past Emery, away from my sister. Barend gets out of my path, allowing me to throw open the door, and I stumble into the hall alone. Without any clear direction in mind, I head toward the stairwell. Anger clouds my vision; my knees are shaky, and I lean on the wall to stay standing. My entire world feels upside down, spinning out of control. Bam. My shoulder slams into someone, jolting my body back upright. “I’m sorry,” I say automatically. But sharp-edged things don’t apologize. They just cut right through. I steel myself and keep going, not looking back, continuing to drag my wobbly legs down the hallway to the exit. “No, I’m sorry,” a tentative voice says behind me. Pawel. “I’m sorry about your dad. I just heard the news.” Intensity seeps into his words. “At least he died for a reason. You can be proud.” His words shoot at me like bullets, a gut shot with no exit wound, and I stop short. I wrap my arms around my waist—like that could stop the bleeding—and peer inside the room Pawel just exited. A group of kids, no older than eleven or twelve, huddle on the floor around a tablet screen. Barend would be livid if he caught them with this smuggled technology. As I wonder fleetingly what their punishment would be for risking the Common’s safety, one of the kids’ heads tilts to the side, giving me a full view of the screen. My father’s face is splashed across an underground virtual newscast. The kids watch, enraptured as a computer-generated anchor with blue hair and violet eyes gives a breathless account of how the disgraced Family Planning Director shockingly took his own life out of shame. “My brother says it’s all a conspiracy,” a girl with a high ponytail says. It’s Ellie, Pawel’s adopted sister. “A Goodwin would never give up.” Another girl spies me standing in the doorway, her breath catching in her throat. She nudges the boy sitting beside her, and the entire group turns to stare at me, their mouths slightly open in reverence. “Our parents sacrificed themselves for Ellie and me too,” Pawel says quietly. A crushing sadness marks his face at the memory. Pawel’s four-person family was illegal, even if Ellie wasn’t related by blood. Whatever hardships he experienced that led him to the Common will haunt him the rest of his life. All at once my sharp edges soften with empathy. I flick my gaze back to my own father on the newscast. They chose a photograph of him in his stately dress uniform. He looks strong and proud and so violently alive it hurts. I scan the youthful faces of my unexpected audience. Ellie rises and holds out her forearm, fist curled into a tight ball, like Mira and I did at the end of our hijacked newscast. She’s petite but fierce, her oval-shaped hazel eyes reflecting her tremendous appetite for defiance at such a young age. Everyone around her stands and does the same. Tattoos, drawn with identical dark ink, cover their right wrists, each one a unique emblem of their own resistance: a charging bull, two thick parallel lines, a scorpion ready to strike, a beautifully patterned sun with a face inside. Next to me Pawel lifts his shirtsleeve, revealing his own tattoo of a tree with thick roots sheltering the letter E. Our spark worked. The flame of revolution spread like wildfire just as Rayla said it would, and now even the next generation can feel its burn. My heart races wild inside my chest. I hold down my wrist, fist clenched. “Resist much,” I say. “Obey little,” their voices answer in unison.   AUTHOR BIO: Hailing from the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, Ashley Saunders and Leslie Saunders are award-winning filmmakers and twin sisters who honed their love of storytelling at The University of Texas at Austin. While researching The Rule of One, they fell in love with America’s national parks, traveling the path of Ava and Mira. The sisters can currently be found with their Boston terriers in sunny Los Angeles, exploring hiking trails and drinking entirely too much yerba mate. Author links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |  Giveaway: Tour-wide giveaway (US/CAN)
To enter, CLICK ON THE Rafflecopter LINK BELOW! Rafflecopter Giveaway!  There was a miscommunication,... this Spotlight today, review by Vickie, soon. Be sure to check back again!   Book details: A Soul Reclaimed by Shayna Grissom Publication date: April 1st 2019 | Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Synopsis: Hell is divided into seven regions. The first region is designated for the purest of souls, the seventh is for the evilest. There was once a king of Hell, but the steward family has ruled for centuries. Nora, the stepdaughter of the steward is undone when her mother and step-father take away her beloved tutor, Peter. When Nora confronts the steward and her mother, the discussion is heated and ends with the steward in inexplicable pain. Shortly after, Nora finds herself in the Starry Wood. Peter told her of the perils within the forest, and it’s not long before the inhabitants of the wood find her. A giant hunter named Aegis comes to Nora’s aid. He is drawn to Nora, compelled to protect her from the steward’s assassins, the giants, and the evil souls who escape the seventh region. Together, they travel the seven layers of Hell to discover why the steward is so threatened by a teenage girl. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Vickie was finally able to open the epub ARC on her computer instead of her devise - although it came open weird - but she read it anyway and truly enjoyed it! WHAT A WOMAN SHE IS!! (Thank you Vickie).  A Soul Reclaimed - Shayna Grissom What a great story. I love all the drama that Nora gets to have. I really like the vampire Aegis. He is awesome and he and Nora have great chemistry and work together really well. The story captured my attention fast and held it tight. All the characters are well-developed and it is easy to feel their emotions. The cover and title of the book are a great match for the story. I would highly recommend this book to everyone who loves fairytale characters and fun and excitement. I give this book a literary rating of 5/5 written by vickie  AUTHOR BIO: Shayna Grissom was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She currently resides in Seattle with her husband, two children, and her beloved pets. Shayna draws inspiration for her writings from binge-watching too many shows with far too much wine. She is a lover of the macabre, the strange, natural sciences, and films that feature vivid colors and imagery. Her favorite film director is Guillermo Del Toro, and her favorite books growing up were Anne Rice novels. Author links: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter |  Giveaway: Tour-wide giveaway (INTL) - $25 Amazon gift card This grand prize giveaway - ends May 23rd: To enter this giveaway, click on the link below. RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY!    Book & Author Details: Venus Falling (Immortals, #1) by RaShelle Workman Publication date: May 1st 2019 | Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction Synopsis: “Roswell meets The Vampire Diaries in this mashup! Romance. Betrayal. A hot vampire kissing an alien princess?! Be swept away to the wiles of Wyoming and then to the stars in this seriously entertaining, twisted, science fiction/fantasy series.” ~ Betrayal sucks! I should know. On my sixteenth birthday, it was my destiny to become immortal and the next queen of my home planet, Kelari. Instead I was betrayed and sent to Earth where I was given a choice by the gods. Suffocate and die by Earth’s atmosphere or help a human find his soulmate. Of course, I chose the latter. The decree sounded easy enough until I met the guy. Michael is gorgeous; I’ll give him that. But he’s also an arrogant jerk! No one could possibly love him—least of all me. But Michael is the least of my problems. There’s a hot vampire after me, determined to make me like him. He’s hard to resist, especially when he’s kissing me. Not to mention a government group whose sole purpose is to hunt beings from other worlds. They’ve found out about my unearthly identity, and despite my human appearance, they are intent on capturing and dissecting me like some kind of a lab experiment. Thankfully my guardian Zaren followed me to this planet. He’s sworn to protect me. He’s done so my entire life. At least he’s supposed to. But Earth is different than Kelari in more ways than one, and the planet is affecting me like neither of us expected. I don’t think he counted on keeping me safe from my own traitorous heart. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo |   AUTHOR BIO: RaShelle Workman is an international bestselling author. Under this name she writes reimagined fairy tales, science fiction, time travel, and romantic suspense. All of her novels have been listed on multiple bestseller lists, including her BLOOD AND SNOW series, which has sold more than a million copies. Three of her books have been translated into Turkish and several can be downloaded and enjoyed on audio. NOW AVAILABLE: Blood and Snow is a CHOICE TEXT ADVENTURE game as is Alice in Demonland. Created by Delight Games. Pick them up free on your App Store today! When RaShelle isn't writing, she enjoys baking, creating new taco recipes and watching Supernatural. She lives in Utah with her husband, three children, and their dogs. Find her online by visiting her website at: www.rashelleworkman.org. And sign up for her newsletter to receive free books and get information on book release dates: http://eepurl.com/chMcej. Author links: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook |  GIVEAWAY Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY!    SYNOPSIS: Neve Hall has always admired the good works of the civil servants who brought prosperity back to the Nation. She especially respects the Sufferers—empaths who, with the help of technology, anonymously bear others’ troubles for them. But when her assigned empath is abruptly retired, she uncovers certain secrets. Like the identity of her new Sufferer, Micah Ward... and the fact that behind his kind smile is a life filled with loneliness and pain. The closer Neve grows to Micah, the more desperate she becomes to protect him from a cruel and gruesome fate. But in a world where only a few are allowed the luxury of love, saving Micah comes with a price: Neve must choose between her loyalty to the Nation or her heart—a decision that will take them both on a race for their freedom, and their lives. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play |  REVIEW by VICKIE: North To Nara - Amanda Marin What an intense story. I can't imagine living in a place like that. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat throughout most of the story. The characters are well-developed and it is easy to feel their emotions very strong. The love between Micah and Neve is so intense and beautiful/ I love the way they always put the other one first. The cover of the book and title are perfect for the story. If you love suspense, romance and drama, I highly recommend you read this great story. I give this book a literary rating of 5/5 written by vickie
 AUTHOR BIO: When Amanda was a child, her father traveled frequently for business, always bringing her back a book as a present. Whether she was getting lost in the pages of a tale about far-away knights, girls with supernatural powers, or kindly giants, she was quickly hooked on stories. Over the years, Amanda has followed her own yellow brick road of reading and writing, and although her adventures haven't involved sword fights or saving the planet from certain annihilation, they have involved jobs in scholarly publishing and marketing, a modest amount of travel, and a lifelong love of novels. Amanda holds degrees in English from Salve Regina University and Boston College. She lives in southern New Hampshire with her family and pet poodle, Snickers. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and several of its subchapters. Author Links: https://www.amandamarinwrites.com/ https://twitter.com/AMarinWrites https://www.facebook.com/amandamarinwrites https://www.instagram.com/amarinwrites/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18564511.Amanda_Marin  GIVEAWAY Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)
This grand prize giveaway (this giveaway is set up and managed by author, not Xpresso Book Tours)To Enter, Click on the Rafflecopter Link Below: RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY!  |
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