Camp Christmas is a novella in the Camp Boyfriend series. It is free to download on the Spencer Hill Contemporary website. While it is part of the Camp Boyfriend series, it can also be read as a standalone. So far, this series contains 3 books: Camp Kiss (Camp Boyfriend #0.5), Camp Boyfriend (Camp Boyfriend #1), and Camp Christmas (Camp Boyfriend #1.5).
This Book Blitz was organized by Lola's Blog Tours. It is scheduled to run from December 17-21. You can view the complete tour schedule on the Lola’s Blog.
Thanks to Lola, Joanne, and Karen for all of the fun information to share!
Camp Christmas (Camp Boyfriend #1.5)
Authors: J.K. Rock
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Category: Young Adult
Release date: December 17, 2013
Summary:
Hannah never meant to be a mean girl – at Camp Juniper Point or at her high school. It just sort of happened during one painful year when her parents split and her life fell apart. Who knew being mad at the world would catapult her to popularity? But since changing the status quo would make her some serious enemies, she’s prepared to ride out her time until graduation. That is, until a camp friend calls her on the act during their school ski trip. Will Julian out her to her friends? Or will the guy she once accused of being King of the Nerds make her wish she was a whole lot more like him?
Download Camp Christmas!
Excerpt (I have to share the one excerpt with kissing...of course!)
Hannah
Julian paid
attention to me. And not just today.
The realization
that his dark eyes had followed me other times—at school, at camp—warmed me
inside for all of a second. Until I remembered what he would have seen most of
the time.
Me doing
whatever I needed to in order to maintain my status.
“Don’t make
excuses for me,” I snapped.
I would have
skied away and left this conversation behind, but all of a sudden, Julian
reached toward me. He’d pulled his glove off at some point and now, his bare
fingers brushed over my cheek. Warm from the glove, rough from scaling icy
cliffs, his touch moved slowly along my skin while his face loomed closer to
mine.
My heartbeat
skittered into some nonsensical rhythm, the sound echoing in my ears until it
drowned out everything else.
“Your dad left
the year you pushed Lauren,” he reminded me softly.
“That doesn’t
make it right to take the hurt out on everyone else.” I looked down, unable to
meet those kind brown eyes.
“No.” His hand
cupped my jaw. Tipped my face up, toward his, until I looked at him again. He
was closer now. So close I could breathe his breath, minty and warmer than the
chilly Adirondack air.
“Why would you
like someone like that?” I didn't like me much these days. Guilt made my chest
go tight with each icy breath.
Guilt…and
something else.
“Because.” His
touch moved down my neck, the tips of his fingers sliding beneath my hair.
“Once you realize that you’re strong and smart and funny—that you don’t need
the designer clothes or Missy’s approval—you’re going to blow everyone else
away.”
Normally, I’d
argue with this. But seeing myself reflected in his eyes, I could almost see
what he did. Or maybe I just really, really wanted to.
“You’re crazy,”
I reminded him, my hand landing on his chest where his heart would be.
Even through my
glove and his jacket, I could feel his warmth. A visible shudder happened when
I touched him.
Like he’d been
waiting for it for a long time. His eyes closed for a second.
“Yeah.
Probably.”
We stood there
for one timeless second, letting the snow swirl all around us and letting the
darkness fall. Then his eyes opened and locked on me.
“Stay still,” he
warned, his voice a little rough and his touch anything but.
My heartbeat
went ballistic. I couldn't have moved if I’d tried.
He came closer.
His lips landed on mine in a kiss I never would have expected. The contact was
soft and sweet, gentle and unhurried. My eyes fell closed, senses focused on
the feel of him.
I wondered if
his heartbeat pounded as hard as mine beneath my gloved hand. But beneath my
lips, he took all the time in the world. I’d been kissed before, but always with
guys who acted like they knew what they were doing.
There’d been
sloppy kisses. Fast kisses. And hard, aggressive kisses that mashed lips on
teeth.
Not Julian. His
mouth teased over mine like a guy determined to get it exactly right. I felt
dizzy from it and had to put both hands on him to steady myself.
“Hannah.” He
whispered my name over my lips as he broke the kiss. His forehead fell against
mine. He dragged in raspy breaths as we stood together in the cold night that
was almost fully dark. “We should—”
“I know.” I
nodded. Backed up a little. I was totally flustered and confused about what
just happened, even though the goose bumps all over my arms told me I’d liked it.
Interview
How did you come up with the inspiration for the Camp
Boyfriend series?
The
brainstorming process is so fluid and fast-moving sometimes it can be tricky to
trace where an idea originated! But we talked about writing a “summer” story
since so many interesting changes happen over a summer when you are in high
school. From there, we jumped to the possibility of summer camp, and the idea
for Camp Boyfriend started developing. We were both inspired by our own
experiences at summer camp.
Who is the main character in the Camp Christmas book and what was the
inspiration for her?
Hannah is the main character, which we’re very excited
about because it can be interesting to write a character who is viewed one way
and sees herself in another way. The girls in Munchies Manor see Hannah as a
mean girl. But we wondered… are they right? Is she really mean and if so, why? We
ended up really connecting with Hannah and we hope readers will too. She goes
on to have some interesting roles in future books, too.
What does the main character in Camp Christmas like to do in her spare
time?
Hannah has a secret geeky side and she knows way too
much about Star Trek, but she would die before she let that particular bit of
information get out! But for the right guy, she does let her guard down so we
can know her better.
How many books will the Camp Boyfriend series contain?
We have three books planned and three novellas, so six
stories in all. We've staggered the releases to that there is a free novella to
precede each book.
The tremendously talented author/designer Jennifer Rush designed the first two covers in the series. You can see more of her work here. Since Jennifer’s writing career keeps her plenty busy these days, we've been working closely with our publisher, Spencer Hill Contemporary, to maintain the spirit of her wonderful layouts in the rest of the artwork.
Earlier books in this series
Camp Kiss (Camp Boyfriend #0.5)
Summary:
The Camp Kiss That Started It All…
Lauren Carlson, a fourteen-year-old expert on the cosmos, superheroes, and science fiction trivia has a crush on her longtime camp friend, Seth. Last summer she’d dreamed about upgrading their relationship to BF/GF status and this year she has a plan… if only her well-meaning cabin mates wouldn't interfere before she’s ready. She hasn't even adjusted to her new braces yet, let alone imagined kissing Seth with them. When a dare pushes her out of her comfort zone, will she and Seth rocket out of the friend zone at last? There’s only one way to find out…
Camp Boyfriend (Camp Boyfriend #1)
Summary:
The summer of her dreams is about to get a reality check.
They said it couldn't be done, but geeky sophomore Lauren Carlson transformed herself into a popular girl after moving to a new school halfway across the country. Amazing what losing her braces and going out for cheerleading will do. Only trouble is, the popular crowd is wearing on Lauren's nerves and she can't wait to return to summer camp where she's valued for her brain instead of her handsprings. She misses her old friends and most of all, her long time camp-only boyfriend, Seth. This year she intends to upgrade their relationship to year-round status once she's broken up with her new, jock boyfriend, Matt. He doesn't even begin to know the real her, a girl fascinated by the night sky who dreams of discovering new planets and galaxies.
But Matt isn't giving her up without a fight. As he makes his case to stay together, Lauren begins to realize his feelings run deeper than she ever would have guessed. What if the guy she thought she was meant to be with forever isn't really The One? Returning to Camp Juniper Point was supposed to ground her uprooted life, but she's more adrift than ever. Everything feels different and soon Lauren's friends are turning on her and both guys question what she really wants. As summer tensions escalate, Lauren wonders if she's changed more than she thought. Will her first big discovery be herself?
Purchase Camp Boyfriend:
Sisters-in-law, Joanne and Karen Rock, write Young Adult books under the pseudonym J.K. Rock. They bonded on a set of bleachers, watching their respective Rock boyfriends play baseball, and later, as young wives married into the same big family. Today, they have fun reliving teen drama on the pages of their YA books in their ongoing Camp Boyfriend series, which reviewers have noted for its authentic treatment of navigating relationships and self-identity. Individually, Joanne and Karen write adult romance books for Harlequin. Joanne is a three-time RITA Award nominee and Golden Heart winner. Her books have been reprinted in twenty-six countries and translated into twenty different languages. Karen's debut romance, WISH ME TOMORROW, has garnered critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of a cancer survivor's journey. You can learn more about their upcoming projects and previous releases at http://jkrock.net
Find J.K. Rock around the Web:
More About the Authors - Top Ten Lists
Top Ten Favorite MoviesJoanne: Sense and Sensibility (Ang Lee version), Picnic, Room with a View, This Property is Condemned, Silver Linings Playbook, Shawshank Redemption, Steel Magnolias, The Thomas Crown Affair, Notorious, & seasonal favorites (Scrooge with Albert Finney)
Karen: Titanic, Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet (Baz Luhrmann version), Rent, Phantom of the Opera, A Walk to Remember, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Bridget Jones's Diary, Juno, Edward Scissorhands, & The Notebook
Top Ten Favorite Books
Joanne: Wuthering Heights, The Woman in White, Name of the Rose, Pride and Prejudice, Nobody’s Baby But Mine, Charming the Prince, Before I Fall, Mists of Avalon, The Once and Future King, & Lord of the Rings
Karen: The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Song of Ice and Fire Series, Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy, Before I Fall, Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars, Hunger Games Series, The Lord of the Rings Series, Gone Girl, & The Mortal Instruments Series
Top Ten Favorite Foods
Joanne: Stone crab, Lobster, Alaskan King Crab (sensing a theme??), Steamed Clams, Chicken Wing Dip, Creme Brulee, my mother-in-law’s German Chocolate Cake, Karen’s Chicken Parmesan, warm homemade bread, & scones
Karen: Pizza (Brooklyn style), Chicken Wings, Quesadillas, Nachos, My Nonna’s Chicken Parmesan (which I copy - thanks for the shout out, Joanne), Fried Zucchini, Poutine (french fries smothered in gravy and cheese - it’s a Canadian thing), Friendly’s Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae (5 scoops!), Rum Cake, my mother-in-law’s Black-and-White Cookies, & Kettle Corn
Top Ten Favorite Drinks
Joanne: Margarita, Amaretto Sour, Good Amaretto straight, gingerbread latte, my own espresso, hot cinnamon and ginger tea, Karen’s husband’s pina coladas (a million calories, I’m sure), a good Barbera, a simple Chianti, but nothing beats ice cold water on a hot day
Karen: Cherry Coke, Cranberry Sierra Mist, Sunny D, Friendly’s Chocolate Fribbles, McDonald’s Strawberry Extra Thick Shakes (with the whip cream and cherry), Iced Mocha Latte, Caramel Macchiatto, Frozen Margarita, Strawberry Daiquiri, Pina Colada, & anything tropical served in a coconut with an umbrella
What Are Ten Items on Your Bucket List?
Joanne: See the Mediterranean, rent a house abroad for at least a month, take a girls' only road trip, visit the British Museum, train trip through Canadian Rockies, plant a fabulous garden at least once, walk through Florence, take a literature class with a brilliant professor at a famous university, buy a beautiful handbag, & learn how to cook one truly amazing dish
Karen: Meet Johnny Depp, be an extra in one of the Mortal Instruments, Divergent, or Hunger Games movies, get a novel critique from John Green, scuba dive and get to see whales, dolphins, or turtles underwater, write a book that becomes a movie, voice an animated character, stay in a real castle, live in Italy for a year, stay in one of those bungalows over the water in Bora Bora, & travel to a country in need and spend a year helping building homes, digging wells, teaching in a school, anything...
Karen: The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Song of Ice and Fire Series, Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy, Before I Fall, Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars, Hunger Games Series, The Lord of the Rings Series, Gone Girl, & The Mortal Instruments Series
Top Ten Favorite Foods
Joanne: Stone crab, Lobster, Alaskan King Crab (sensing a theme??), Steamed Clams, Chicken Wing Dip, Creme Brulee, my mother-in-law’s German Chocolate Cake, Karen’s Chicken Parmesan, warm homemade bread, & scones
Karen: Pizza (Brooklyn style), Chicken Wings, Quesadillas, Nachos, My Nonna’s Chicken Parmesan (which I copy - thanks for the shout out, Joanne), Fried Zucchini, Poutine (french fries smothered in gravy and cheese - it’s a Canadian thing), Friendly’s Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae (5 scoops!), Rum Cake, my mother-in-law’s Black-and-White Cookies, & Kettle Corn
Top Ten Favorite Drinks
Joanne: Margarita, Amaretto Sour, Good Amaretto straight, gingerbread latte, my own espresso, hot cinnamon and ginger tea, Karen’s husband’s pina coladas (a million calories, I’m sure), a good Barbera, a simple Chianti, but nothing beats ice cold water on a hot day
Karen: Cherry Coke, Cranberry Sierra Mist, Sunny D, Friendly’s Chocolate Fribbles, McDonald’s Strawberry Extra Thick Shakes (with the whip cream and cherry), Iced Mocha Latte, Caramel Macchiatto, Frozen Margarita, Strawberry Daiquiri, Pina Colada, & anything tropical served in a coconut with an umbrella
What Are Ten Items on Your Bucket List?
Joanne: See the Mediterranean, rent a house abroad for at least a month, take a girls' only road trip, visit the British Museum, train trip through Canadian Rockies, plant a fabulous garden at least once, walk through Florence, take a literature class with a brilliant professor at a famous university, buy a beautiful handbag, & learn how to cook one truly amazing dish
Karen: Meet Johnny Depp, be an extra in one of the Mortal Instruments, Divergent, or Hunger Games movies, get a novel critique from John Green, scuba dive and get to see whales, dolphins, or turtles underwater, write a book that becomes a movie, voice an animated character, stay in a real castle, live in Italy for a year, stay in one of those bungalows over the water in Bora Bora, & travel to a country in need and spend a year helping building homes, digging wells, teaching in a school, anything...
There are TWO blitz-wide giveaways!
This first giveaway is for US residents only.
One US winner will receive:
- 1 signed copy of J. Lynn's FRIGID
- 1 signed copy of Kimberly Sabatini's TOUCHING THE SURFACE
- 1 signed copy of J.K. Rock's CAMP BOYFRIEND
- 1 journal
- 1 Chinese lantern
- 1 pen
- Stickers
- Assorted bookmarks
- Friendship bracelets
- 1 Camp Boyfriend pen and mini-flashlight
- 1 Bath and Body Works Triple Moisture Cream in Aruba Coconut.
The second giveaway is open Internationally. One winner will receive:
- $25 Amazon gift card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Lisa, your posts look so gorgeous!! I love the way you format everything to be so pretty on the blog. Thank you, thank you for hosting us to share the news about Camp Christmas! We've been super excited about this story and are very happy to finally share with readers. Free!! Happy Holidays to you!!
ReplyDeleteWHAAAAT?! Jennifer Rush was the one who designed the covers of the two books in this series? Awesome! She did a great job! The book covers are so pretty! >.<
ReplyDeleteP.S. I really really love your blog design. Gah. How I wish my blog is as pretty as yours. :)