Unbreakable Book Blitz & Giveaway!!

Hi everyone! I'm super excited to share with you the release of UNBREAKABLE, the 4th book in the Deception Game series. This book was a labor of love, and after a long wait (VERY LONG WAIT!) it's finally out in the world. I hope it's everything readers want it to be! <3 <3 <3

Here's all of the details!

Unbreakable
Kristin Smith
(The Deception Game, #4)
Publication date: July 26th 2022
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

From best-selling and award-winning author Kristin Smith comes the riveting fourth and final book in the Deception Game series.

A terrible discovery that will change everything.

Armed with valuable information, Sienna and her friends find asylum in the east coast province of Pride. While initially grateful for Pride’s open arms, they begin to question exactly what kind of loyalties its president is after. Sienna must grapple with her new condition, Trey has to figure out how to win a war without losing Sienna, and Zane needs to recreate a gene regeneration therapy to cure Sienna without knowing if he’ll ever win her heart. When they learn Trina survived the Zenith Camp bombing, they also discover she’s been living a nightmare.

In the end, Sienna and her friends must somehow come together and fight a war for a government they aren’t sure they can trust.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

SIENNA:

Ever since we arrived in Old Richmond, President Turner’s team of doctors have done test after test and x-ray after x-ray to determine how severely my spinal cord is damaged. And it’s all led to the same conclusion. It’s damaged beyond repair. Which means I’ll never walk again, at least, not in this life.

Am I angry? Yes. Do I feel sorry for myself? A little. But that’s not what keeps me tethered to this bed. Sadness is a weighted sandbag that drags me down, down, down. All I want to do is sleep.

Day after day, I lie on my back in a bed in a room that’s too posh to be a sick room. I let them check my blood pressure and temperature. I let them empty my catheter. I let them switch out my IV bag. And I don’t complain when they stick me with this needle and that one. For all intents and purposes, I’m alive.

And yet, I’m not.

I lost the two most important people in my life, and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover. So what that I can’t walk? So what that my life as I knew it is over? So what. So what. So what. My mom and sister are dead. Burned alive.

Death is a plague that has visited my doorstep over and over. No matter where I go, it finds me and the ones I love.

And I’m tired. So very tired. Tired of living. Tired of loving. Tired of caring.

There’s a soft knock on the door, and then Zane sticks his head in. His face lights up when he sees me. “Hey,” he says. “Can I come in?” His gaze travels to Chaz, who is asleep in a chair near the corner of the room. His head sags against his propped-up arm, his chubby cheek squished against his fist. Chaz hasn’t left my side since we got to Old Richmond. My eternal watchdog.

“Trust me,” I say, “nothing short of an explosion can wake him when he’s asleep.”

Zane chuckles at this as he crosses the room and sinks into the chair beside my bed. “How are you holding up?”

“I’ve been better.”

His face is awash in pain. “I’m really sorry, Sienna—”

“It wasn’t your fault, Zane,” I remind him. We’ve been over this again and again, but he still carries the blame. Like he could somehow have avoided the hidden explosive. The thought is absurd.

“It was,” he says, his voice firm. “But I’m going to fix it. I promise.”

“I know you will,” I say. “You can do anything you put your mind to.”

He smiles. “Your confidence in me means everything.”

A loud snore comes from the corner of the room. Zane and I exchange looks. “See?” I say. “Told you.”

When Zane laughs, it feels like a little bit of goodness has returned to the world. His laugh almost elicits a smile from me. Almost.

He reaches for my hand, then takes it in his. His hand is strong, solid, the muscles arching as he squeezes my fingers. “I’ve missed you,” he says, and it’s so sudden and completely unexpected that I’m not sure what to say back.

“I’m right here,” I joke.

“That’s not what I mean.” His eyes connect with mine, and his gaze is so intense I have to look away. “Sienna, I need to know.”

“Need to know what?”

“Is there any hope for me? For us?”

I draw in a sharp breath. I thought I spelled it out pretty well in my bedroom that night in his house before the assassin tried to kill him. Apparently not. I try to say the next words as gently as I can. “I’m with Trey now. I love Trey.”

Pain fills his eyes as his hand slips from mine. “I understand.”

“Zane, I’m sorry—”

“Don’t be. It’s not what I wanted to hear. But it’s what I needed to hear.”

I reach for his hand again, and reluctantly, he gives it to me. Bringing it up to my lips, I kiss the soft spot between his knuckles. “There’s a girl out there for you. One who will love you and appreciate you for the incredible person you are.”

When Zane stares at me, his eyes full of longing, it tears holes in my heart. “I know,” he says. “I just hoped it would be you.”

What's a book release without some teasers? My talented friend and critique partner, Leandra Wallace, made these incredible graphics which I absolutely adore. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to enter the giveaway below for the chance to win a $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD!!

Also, if you're on Instagram, join me and Michelle I. Mason, author of YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN DELAYED, tonight (Tuesday, July 26th) at 7:00 pm for an Instagram Live Book Launch Event where we'll talk about the Deception Game series, romance in dystopian books, my writing process, and more! Hope to see you there! <3

Author Bio:

Kristin Smith is the best-selling and award-winning author of the DECEPTION GAME series. Her first book, CATALYST, was a 2018 IAN Book of the Year Award finalist in the Young Adult category. When she's not writing, Kristin can be found planning her next Murder Mystery dinner party, beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and sons. To read more about Kristin or her books, please visit her website at kristinsmithbooks.com.

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Release Day! Forgotten is Out in the World!

Today is the day! Today FORGOTTEN, the 2nd book in the Deception Game series, releases to the world! Woot!

But before we celebrate, let me tell you a little story.

I hadn't TRULY experienced writer's block until I started writing this book. I got about three-fourths of the way through and then it hit me. HARD. No matter what I did or how hard I tried, I COULD NOT move forward and write the end of the novel. It was frustrating. But I quickly learned that the best way to deal with writer's block (for me, at least) is to take a break.

So I did.

I read books and binged-watched Netflix, and since I'm a religious person, there was also a lot of praying involved. I had a deadline, and I knew I needed to finish the book. ASAP.

And then one day, a glorious idea came. And then another idea came. And I FINALLY knew how the book HAD to end. I didn't want to write it. I cried all the way through it. But when it was done, I knew it was the exact conclusion it needed.

Are you curious yet? LOL.

Needless to say, writer's block sucks. Every writer will probably experience it, but eventually we make it through to the other side.

Welcome to the world, my beautiful book baby! <3


Forgotten
Kristin Smith
(The Deception Game #2)
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date: April 18th 2017
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

The epic tale of Sienna Preston continues in this second installment of the exhilarating Deception Game series.

 Seventeen-year-old Sienna is no stranger to heartache and loss. But this time, it’s different; someone―or something―has tampered with a loved one’s memories, and she’s determined to get answers.

The trail leads her to the glittering skyscrapers and modern luxuries of Rubex, the Capital of Pacifica, where she infiltrates the government’s Agency for Intelligence and Genetics. But answers are not always easy to come by, especially when her own memories may have been altered. Luckily, Zane Ryder is there to help her put the pieces back together, his devotion and concern muddying the waters between friendship and something more.

 When Sienna gets too close to uncovering dark Agency secrets, she’s framed for the murder of a prominent government official, sending her on the run. Sienna’s heart may be torn about who she loves, but none of that really matters anymore―because the only thing that awaits her now is a death sentence.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Grab book 1 for only 99¢!
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

Zane parks his Aria on the lake side of the dam, and we both climb out.

“Bring back memories?” Zane asks with a wry grin.

“How you thought I was trying to kill myself? Again?” I laugh. “I don’t know why you thought I was so suicidal.”

Zane shrugs. “Maybe I didn’t. Maybe I just wanted an excuse to rescue you.”

My heart trips over itself. “Zane,” I say softly, “you can’t keep saying things like that.”

He moves around the side of the car. “Why not?” When he takes my hand in his, the warmth of his fingers heats up my whole body.

“This isn’t a good idea,” I mutter, but I make no move to extract my hand from his.

He looks down at me, then at our entwined fingers. “But what if it is? What if it’s the best idea in the whole damn world?”

“Because—because you’re engaged. To someone else.”

“But I don’t want to be,” he says, his voice low. He takes a step closer until he’s so close that I could wrap my arm around his back if I wanted to.

“Zane,” I warn, but the warning gets caught in my throat. He’s giving me that look. The same one he gave me before he kissed me that first time on the couch in his house.

“What?” he whispers.

“Please, don’t—” But he’s already leaning down, his eyes focused on my mouth. My breath comes out shaky as his fingers slip from mine and his hands touch my waist, gently bringing me closer. Before I can stop myself, our lips meet, and a thousand nerve endings converge to a single spot. His lips are fire and warmth and need. And that single spark ignites an already-smoldering flame.

Author Bio: 

Kristin Smith writes young adult contemporary and science fiction novels. When she’s not writing, you can find her dreaming about the beach, beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and five incredibly loud but extremely cute boys. To read more about her obsession with YA novels or her addiction to chocolate, you can visit her at kristinsmithbooks.com.

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GIVEAWAY!
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My Book Baby Releases Today! And a Giveaway!

Today is the day! Catalyst officially releases into the world today, and I couldn't be happier! I want to thank all of you who signed up for my Book Blitz through Xpresso Book Tours. I really wanted to do a list of everyone participating and link it to your blog, but when I found out that I had over 115 people sign up, I didn't think it was possible! I will, however, do my best to visit all of the blogs throughout this week—thank you so much!!

Also, for those of you who may not follow me on social media, I have the BEST NEWS EVER! Barnes and Noble picked up Catalyst and will be stocking it on their shelves nationwide, coming in December!

Here's a look at the Catalyst book trailer for those who might have missed it before...

Welcome to the world, my beautiful book baby!

Catalyst
Kristin Smith
(The Deception Game, #1)
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date: November 21st 2016
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

Book Synopsis:

Too pretty.

Too smart.

Too perfect.

In a crumbling, futuristic Las Vegas where the wealthy choose the characteristics of their children like ordering off a drive-thru menu, seventeen-year-old Sienna Preston doesn’t fit in. As a normal girl surrounded by genetically modified teenagers, all of her imperfections are on display. But after the death of her father, everything she’s ever known and loved changes in an instant.

With little skills to help provide for her family, Sienna clings to the two things that come easily—lying and stealing. But not all thief-for-hire assignments go as planned. When a covert exchange of a

stolen computer chip is intercepted, she becomes entangled with a corrupt government official who uses her thieving past as leverage, her mother as collateral, and the genetically modified poster boy she’s falling for as bait.

In order to rescue her mother, there may only be one option—joining forces with the Fringe, an extremist group, and their young leader who’s too hot to be bad. Problem is, these revolutionaries aren’t what they seem, and the secrets they’re hiding could be more dangerous than Sienna is prepared for. In the end, she must be willing to risk everything to save the one thing that matters most.

Catalyst is a thrilling adventure of danger, romance, intrigue, and deception.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

**Look for Catalyst on the shelves of Barnes and Noble stores nationwide, coming in December!**

Here's what best-selling authors are saying about Catalyst: 

"A gripping thriller with a tough, but vulnerable heroine who must fight against a corrupt underworld. High stakes and non-stop action paired with terrific writing will have you turning the pages late into the night.”

~Kimberley Griffiths Little, award-winning author of the Forbidden trilogy (Harpercollins)

"An amazing young adult thriller! Full of intrigue, high stakes, and danger, this read will keep your heart racing and your mind turning deep into the night."

~Jessie Humphries, best-selling author of The Ruby Rose series

"An action-packed sci-fi thriller filled with romance, danger, and twists you won't see coming, CATALYST provides a glimpse into an eery future depicting what can go wrong when those in power attempt to make things right.”

~Ilima Todd, author of Remake

I have to thank my dear friend and critique partner, Leandra Wallace, for making me this next awesome graphic. It's perfect because Sienna, the main character in Catalyst, rides a Harley. I printed this graphic out, framed it, and I'm planning to use it Tuesday night at my Launch Party in Charlotte. Thank you, Leandra! :)

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things by Kristin Smith

Books. Sunsets. Reading to my children. Cuddling with my husband. My laptop. Sleeping in. Surfing the internet. Dinner with friends. Sushi from Coral Sushi (has to be from here!). The beach. Christmas. Halloween. Fall decorations. Fires in fireplaces. Making s'mores around a bonfire. Deltaville. Kissing. Snow. Gelato. My pool. Sledding. Music. Watching movies with my family. Chick flicks. People who care. Lazy days. Cake (any kind). People who listen. Playing the piano. My bed. People who show up at my door with cookies. Zumba. Dancing. The electric slide. Date nights. My family. Binge-watching Netflix. Gilmore Girls. Hot cocoa. Dreaming big. Root beer. Vampire Diaries. Blankets. Sweaters. Boots. Reign. Chocolate (in any form!). Amazon. Pinterest. Vacations. Las Vegas. Book stores. New books. The Selection Series. Planning parties. Supportive friends. The Hunger Games. My wonderful husband. My sweet boys. Chips. Diet Mountain Dew Code Red. Dinner with friends. Scarfs. Glitter. Make-up. Inspiring stories. My readers.

Author Bio:

 Kristin Smith writes young adult contemporary and science fiction novels. When she’s not writing, you can find her dreaming about the beach, beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and five incredibly loud but extremely cute boys. To read more about her obsession with YA novels or her addiction to chocolate, you can visit her at kristinsmithbooks.com.

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Enter the Giveaway to win a Clean Teen Publishing Mystery Box!

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Thanks for stopping by and celebrating my book launch with me! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Book Blitz: Wonderwall by M.H. Soars

Today, I'm showing off M.H. Soars NA contemporary romance novel, Wonderwall, and I really do love the cover for this novel. Beautiful yet simple. I also have a guest post by M.H. where she shares what sparked the idea for Wonderwall. And be sure to enter the Giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card and an ebook copy of Wonderwall!

Wonderwall by M.H. Soars
Publication date: October 28th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

There is something magical when best friends fall in love. Liv and Sebastian used to be inseparable until circumstances beyond their control destroyed their fairytale romance to dust.

Liv hasn’t seen Sebastian since he walked out of her life five years ago. When she accepted her internship in London, she never dreamed their paths would cross again. Not when Sebastian is a celebrity, a singer in one of the most popular boy bands of all times. Living in the same city, their worlds couldn’t be farther apart. But when two people are destined to be together, they can’t outrun fate.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25897278-wonderwall

Purchase:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wonderwall-M-H-Soars-ebook/dp/B0168Z8VKG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445598885&sr=8-1&keywords=Wonderwall+by+M.H.+Soars

AUTHOR BIO:

M. H. Soars always knew creative arts were her calling but not in a million years did she think she would become an author. With a background in fashion design she thought she would follow that path. But one day, out of the blue, she had an idea for a book. One page turned into ten pages, ten pages turned into a hundred, and before she knew, her first novel, The Prophecy of Arcadia, was born.

M. H. Soars resides in Florida with her husband and baby daughter. She is currently working on the Arcadian Wars series, and the Love Me, I'm Famous series.

Author links

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mhsoars
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mhsoars
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/mhsoars
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mhsoars
Website: www.mhsoars.com
Blog: www.fyingsaucers22.com

GUEST POST by M.H. Soars

The Spark of a Novel

I think 99% of authors will say that the question they are asked the most is how they get their inspiration for their books. The answer to that question will vary. Dreams, songs, a driver who cuts you off, your desire to eat a doughnut even though you shouldn’t. In essence LIFE is the main source of anyone who creates.

Wonderwall was a book that came out of the blue. I wasn’t planning on writing it in the immediate future. My first novel in the New Adult genre was actually going to be We Used to Be Friends, the now second book in the series. But I’m so happy that Wonderwall got to be the first because it’s my favorite book to date.

So what sparked the idea for Wonderwall? Was it the song by Oasis? Not exactly. It was a song by a band I really never followed or paid attention to, even though the world had gone off-kilter over it. If you guessed One Direction, you are correct. So there I was, going to work, when Story of My Life started to play. (FYI, I get a lot of my ideas on the way to work, I actually see scenes play out in front of me when I should be paying attention to traffic instead). Anyway, back to what I was saying, the song came on and I wondered what would it be like to date a guy in a very popular boy band? And that was the A-HA moment for Wonderwall.

But it wasn’t the very beginning. The A-HA moment was not the Genesis of the story (I’m making s**t up as I go here. Who am I with all these fancy terms?). I can’t pinpoint the time when the little seed came into my mind. “A girl going to live in London on a year long internship at a swanky hotel. She finds love there. It will be complicated”.

I had this idea in the back of my head and then the One Direction song came in, mixed with the seed (maybe the song was the water?) and bang! A-HA moment.

What came next was a series of WHAT IFs questions that helped place Liv and Sebastian’s story in the world of the Love Me, I’m Famous series I’d been brewing for months. Like I stated earlier, I planned to launch the series with We Used to be Friends (Kennedy and Skylar’s story). Wonderwall was never meant to be part of this series. It was going to be a standalone. But now I cannot envision Love Me, I’m Famous without Liv and Sebastian in it, which proves that sometimes it’s freaking awesome to go off the rails.

And now for the Giveaway!

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Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

Book Blitz: White Raven by J.L. Weil

I'm excited to showcase the YA paranormal romance novel White Raven by J.L. Weil! I am absolutely in love with this cover. Isn't it gorgeous?

Be sure to enter the Giveaways at the bottom of the post for the chance to win a $25 AMAZON gift card, a signed copy of White Raven, and some swag! Sound amazing? 

And in a separate Giveaway, you have a chance to win a FREE eBook copy of White Raven! Enjoy the blitz!

White Raven by J.L. Weil
(Raven Series, #1)
Publication date: March 27th 2015
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

DREADFUL LIES.
UNEXPECTED LOVE.
IMPOSSIBLE TRUTH.

It only took one heartbeat to change my life—one chilling phone call in the middle of the night.

And then, as if my life didn’t already suck, my dad sends my brother and me to some idyllic island for the summer to live with a grandma we never met. WTH. Naturally, I rebel. In the end, I find myself shipped off to Raven Hallow…and bored to tears.

Until I get an eyeful of the mind-bendingly gorgeous Zane Hunter. The dark-hair cutie makes my pulse go bonkers, and I think, maybe this might not be so bad after all. Six feet of swoon inducing looks, with a hint of Celtic charm in his voice, he was the type of guy that left a string of broken hearts in his wake. And I had all the heartbreak I could handle.

Yet, there is something uncanny, almost supernatural about Zane, and it’s not just his devastating smirk. No matter how much distance I put between us, Raven Hallow isn’t big enough, and the sparking tension between is undeniable. Of course, the one person I want to avoid becomes my salvation.

My past comes back to terrorize me. Someone wants me dead, and the closer I get to the truth, the more I realize my whole life is a lie. I am no longer sure what is more frightening—the attempts on my life or the guy whose heart and soul are synchronized with mine.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22043058-white-raven?ac=1

Purchase:

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/White-Raven-book-J-L-Weil/dp/1508970866/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429829010&sr=8-1&keywords=White+Raven

--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/white-raven-book-1-raven-series-jl-weil/1121638317?ean=
2940151839297

AUTHOR BIO:

Award-winning and Bestselling author J.L. Weil writes Teen & New Adult Paranormal Romances about spunky, smart mouth girls who always wind up in dire situations. For every sassy girl, there is an equally mouthwatering, overprotective guy. Of course there is lots of kissing. And stuff.

Most of her books are for ages 16+. They usually have what she considers the good stuff - sexual content (oh yeah) and swearing. You have been warned ;)

An admitted addict to Love Pink clothes, raspberry mochas from Starbucks, (yum!) and Jensen Ackles (double yum!). She loves gushing about books and Supernatural with her readers.

Connect with J.L. Weil:

Blog: http://jlweil.blogspot.com/

Website: www.jlweil.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferlweil

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLWeil

Guest Post by J.L. Weil

100 Things I Love:

Being in love. My boys. Raspberry Mochas. Twilight. Love Pink. The smell of the Ocean. Dark Chocolate. Books. Being married. Harry Potter. Bad Boys. Candles. The Green Bay Packers. Jensen Ackles (duh!). NKOTB. Punky Brewster. Libraries. The Walking Dead. American Eagle jeggings. Owls. Bonfires. Dancing. Libraries with a Starbucks inside. My cat, Kiki. Romance. Vampire Diaries. Ireland. Christmas. Country music. Movies. Motherhood. The sound of water. Sunsets. Sleep. Going out to dinner. Laughing. Shopping. Moonlight. Sex. Amaretto stone sour. My family. Musicals. My macbook. The stars. Reading. Freebies. Back rubs. Fireplaces. Eyes. Daydreaming. Video games. Singing. Twitter. Decorating. Grill outs. The beach. Swearing. Coco-cola. Writing. Madden shoes. Body piercings. Sightseeing. Pretty Little Liars. Purses. Vacations. Sleeping. Staying up late. Lazy afternoons. A clean house. Bubble baths. Home cooked meals. Trends. Cliches. Nora Roberts. Tattoos. Pink hair. Makeup. Magic & Witches. Sparkly things. Hugs. Walt Disney World. My hubby's steak (it was the first meal he ever made me). Kissing and stuff. My little sis. Brantley Gilbert. Wishes. My birthday. Surprises. Blogging. Anything Celtic. Snapping gum. Thunderstorms. Iced coffee. Donuts. Freckles. Perfume. Organization. Butterflies. Summertime. Sips & Sjin.

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Book Blitz: Wash Me Away by Wendy Owens

I'm a sucker for good book excerpts, and this one from Wash Me Away by Wendy Owens is no exception. It's sweet and touching, and if you like it, you're in for a treat! One lucky commenter will win a FREE eBook copy of Wash Me Away! So be sure to leave me a comment to be entered for the drawing!

AND you can enter to win a $25 AMAZON gift card! Doesn't that sound awesome! Don't forget to enter the Giveaway!

Wash Me Away by Wendy Owens
Publication date: April 27th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Monsters have a way of following you.

Immersed in a new world at boarding school, Addy Buckley learns she’s not the only one with secrets. While trying to navigate the minefield of painful lies that seem to be rattling around her family’s past, she meets soft on the eyes and heavy on the heart, Napoleon Blake.

When faced with the darkness, Addy must decide to cling to her new life and friends or let the monster carry her away. The choice is hers, sink or swim.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25202708-wash-me-away?ac=1

Purchase:

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Wash+Me+Away+wendy&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3AWash+Me+Away+wendy

--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wash-me-away-wendy-owens/1121502681?ean=2940046645316

AUTHOR BIO:

YA is published under Wendy L Owens
Adult and NA is published under Wendy Owens

Wendy Owens is a writer, born in the small college town, Oxford Ohio. After attending Miami University, Wendy went onto a career in the visual arts. After several years of creating and selling her own artwork she gave her first love, writing, a try. It’s become a passion ever since. Wendy now happily spends her days writing the stories her characters guide her to tell, admitting even she doesn’t always know where that might lead. Her first series, The Guardians, is a YA fantasy series about angel and human hybrids.

Since then she has branched into NA Contemporary Romance and released titles to include Stubborn Love, Only In Dreams, and Do Anything. Her next romance, The Luckiest is scheduled to be released in July 2014.
When she’s not writing, this dog lover can be found spending time with her tech geek husband, their three amazing kids, and two pups. She loves to cook and is a film fanatic.

Author Links:

http://wendy-owens.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5038955.Wendy_Owens

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-L-Owens/191731754221996?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/wendylowens

Excerpt from Wash Me Away

I smile at the sincerity in his voice. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you for keeping the ghosts away.” He’s no longer looking at me. Instead he watches our friends leap into the air, laughing and screaming as they chase the fluttering glow bugs.

I think about his words. That’s exactly what he has done for me … keep the ghosts away.

I lay down in the tall grass, my head tilted to the night sky, the moon full over our heads.

“Alrighty,” he says, filling the void next to me. “What are we doing?”

“Watching.”

“For?” he asks.

“God.”

His hand seeks mine through the blades of grass, our palms flat against one another’s. My heart starts to race. I’m listening to the song of the crickets mixed with our friend’s laughter, and in that moment I want nothing more than to crash into Leo and make the world stop turning. Instead, I settle for the moment, touching a friend’s hand, quietly keeping the ghosts at bay for one another.

“Do you think he’s there?” he asks.

“Who?” I forget what we’re talking about, distracted by his touch.

He doesn’t move his hand away. “God.”

I swallow. I’ve wondered that a lot, especially as a little girl, on those nights that Daddy would visit my room. “I don’t know,” I answer in barely a whisper.

“It’s a nice thought.”

“What is?”

“The whole heaven thing. That people are waiting for us,” he says.

“I guess.”

“What? You don’t believe in heaven?”

“I don’t know,” I say again honestly. “If that’s all real, it just seems hard to swallow.”

“What does?”

“Suffering,” I reply.

He’s quiet, and I wish I hadn’t rained on the moment. “Yeah, it is.”

I want to tell him I hope there’s a heaven because he deserves to see his brother again. I want to tell him that I hope hell exists because people like my father deserve to go there. I want to tell him that through all the bull, I still have hope it’s all real and this being is out there, loving me with all the blemishes others have placed onto me. But instead I lay there, content with the touch of his hand.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway! The Ark by Laura Liddell Nolen

I'm super excited to share this Book Blitz with you! I haven't read this YA novel yet, but after reading the excerpt, I am HOOKED! I can't wait to read more.

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The Ark by Laura Liddell Nolen 

Published by: HarperVoyager

Publication date: March 26th 2015

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Synopsis:

There’s a meteor headed for Earth, and there is only one way to survive.

With her criminal record, sixteen-year-old Char is never going to get a place on an Ark, one of the five massive bioships designed to protect Earth’s survivors. The Arks are reserved for the real goody-goodies, like Char’s mom, dad, and brother, all of whom have long since turned their backs on her.

With Earth on the brink of destruction, Char must use all her tricks of the trade to swindle her way into outer space, where she hopes to reunite with her family, regardless of whether they want to see her or not.

Once she arrives on the North American Ark, Char discovers that the remnants of humanity haven’t achieved the egalitarian utopia they’d planned for. For starters, the “Officers of the Peace” are anything but peaceful, especially since stealing a spot on an Ark is a crime punishable by death…

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25066493-the-ark

Purchase:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O0FY6B0/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_ca-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=330641

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ark-laura-liddell-nolen/1120419087?ean=9780008113629

AUTHOR BIO:

Laura grew up in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she spent an excellent childhood playing make-believe with her two younger brothers. The Ark is the direct result of those stories and a lifelong devotion to space-themed television. It received a Work in Progress Grant from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Laura has a degree in French and a license to practice law, but both are frozen in carbonite at present. She lives in Texas with her family.

Author links:

http://www.lauraliddellnolen.com/

https://www.facebook.com/lauraliddellnolen

https://twitter.com/LauraLLNolen

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13378500.Laura_Liddell_Nolen

EXCERPT from THE ARK

On the last day of Earth, I couldn’t find my hairbrush. That probably seems like a silly thing to worry about, what with the imminent destruction of, well, everything, but my mom was always after me about my usual ratty ponytail. Normally, I’d ignore her. Or, if I were having a really bad day, I’d tell her what she could do with her hairbrush. But like I said, it was the last day of Earth. And I figured, since it was the last time she’d ever see me, I wanted it to go smoothly. I wanted her to remember me, if not fondly, then at least without anger.

A girl can dream.

I slipped out of my cell as soon as the door swung open. I’d done the same every day for the past month, and my family had yet to show up. Their OPT—Off-Planet Transport—took off in eighteen hours, so they still had time. Barely. I couldn’t blame them if they didn’t come. It wasn’t hard to imagine that they’d rather escape to the stars without so much as a backward glance at me, their big disappointment. Even my father’s influence couldn’t persuade the government to give me a spot on an OPT.

Turns out, when humankind is deciding which of its children to save, the last place it looks is in prison.

But I was pretty sure they’d come. West had said as much in his last transmission. The thought of my younger brother actually halted me mid-step, like one of those punches in the gut where you can’t breathe for a few seconds.

“Looking for something?” The lazy drawl floated out of the nearest cell.

Against my better instincts, I turned to see Cassa lying on her bunk, her arm draped across Kip. My Kip. Or at least, my ex-Kip. Whatever. In twenty-two hours, I wouldn’t have to think about him anymore.

See? Silver lining. And they called me a perpetual pessimist at my last psych workup.

They barely fit next to each other on the flimsy mattress, but that wasn’t the weird part. The guys’ ward was separated by a substantial metal wall. We were kept apart during evening hours, for obvious reasons. Not that anyone cared anymore. The med staff had been the first to go, followed by the cleaning crew, followed by the kitchen crew. To show you where girls like me fell on the government’s list of priorities, there was still a skeleton crew of guards lurking around, despite the fact that I hadn’t had a real meal for going on a week. The guards would be gone soon, too, and then there’d be no one in here but us chickens.

I figured either Kip had a key, or the guards had left already. A key could be useful. My curiosity got the best of me. “How’d he get in here before the first bell?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “I got some tricks you ain’t seen, babe. Why don’t you join us? End of the world and all.”

The guards were gone, then. I felt a small trill of anxiety deep in my chest. If the guards were gone, my family was even less likely to show. But it was never smart to show fear. “The Pinball could be headed straight for this building, and I still wouldn’t be desperate enough to touch you. Oh, wait. Guess you don’t have to take my word for it.”

I turned to leave, but he continued. “Now is that any way to treat your dear ole partners? Be nice or I won’t give you back your stuff.”

“Ugh, you were in my room?” I flexed my shoulder blades, making sure my gun was still tightly secured between them.

“Don’t worry, Char. I didn’t handle the merchandise. Didn’t want to wake you up. Just lifted me a few keepsakes.” He pronounced my name the way I like: Char, as in charred. Something that got burned.

I wasn’t sure what Kip and Cassa were planning, but I knew I wouldn’t like it. They were thieves and liars. I would know. I used to be one of them. That was before the last job, when Cassa had attacked an elderly man in the home we were robbing. She’d kicked him until he stopped fighting back. Kip had called her off after a few licks, but I just stood there, staring. The old man looked at me, like right at me, while we made our getaway, and my stomach twisted into a knot so tight that I tasted bile. That was the moment I knew I wanted out.

But by then, no one believed me. Or, if they did, no one cared. Except for Kip and Cassa, of course. They’d taken the news pretty hard, to put it lightly.

If I lunged for the box, I could probably grab my hairbrush and get out of there. I wouldn’t have time for more than that. Then again, I’d be doing exactly what they expected, and I didn’t have time for delays. My family could be in the commissary any second now.

“Ahem. Seeing as it’s your last day of life, I might let you have one thing back,” said Kip.

“In exchange for what?”

“I’m hurt. All our time together, and you still don’t believe in my inherent generosity. But now that you mention it, I’ve got a hankering for some peanut butter crackers.”

“Sorry, Kip. I’m fresh out of food. Kinda like everyone else.”

“Nice try, Charrr.” He drew my name out, as though tasting it. “I saw them yesterday. Figured you were hiding them under your pillow when I couldn’t find them last night.”

“You figured wrong.”

All I could think about was my brother’s face. And how I had this one last chance to apologize to my parents, for everything. I shrugged and turned to leave.

That was probably a mistake.

****

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