SARC 2014 - February Sign-Ups

Is it just me, or is 2014 already flying by? A MONTH HAS PASSED. And what better way to start off a new month than with the promise of awesome prizes?

The Standalone Reading Challenge is easy and fun - plus you'll get a chance to win some awesome prizes. Read more about the challenge and SIGN UP HERE. And be sure to grab a button for your sidebar too!

So what are you waiting for? Read a 2014 standalone - if you're not sure what counts, check out our list of Standalones here - write your review, link up, and get your name in the hat for February's prize pack!

(1) KEEP YOUR ENEMIES CLOSE ebook
(1) WELCOME TO THE DARK HOUSE hardcover
(1) THE PROMISE OF RAIN Paperback
(1) THE PROMISE OF RAIN Bookmark and Pen
(1) THE SOUND OF LETTING GO Postcard and Sticky Notes

Special thanks to the donators:
H.S. Stone
Rula Sinara
Stasia Ward Kehoe
Disney*Hyperion

Please note, prize pack contents are subject to change. Open to US Only.

So what are you waiting for? Read, Review, and Link up! Drop any questions in the comments :)

And if you still haven't signed up, do so HERE.

Review: The Promise of Rain

Title: The Promise of Rain (Book 1)
Author: Rula Sinara
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Genre: Romance (Clean)
Release: January 1, 2014
Source: ARC from author

Summary & Cover

He wants to take her child out of Africa...

The Busara elephant research and rescue camp on Kenya's Serengeti is Anna Bekker's life's work. And it's the last place she thought she'd run into Dr. Jackson Harper. As soon as he sets eyes on her four-year-old, Pippa, Anna knows he'll never leave...without his daughter.

Furious doesn't begin to describe how Jack feels. How could Anna keep this from him? He has to get his child back to the States. Yet as angry as he is with Anna, they still have a bond. But can it endure, despite the ocean--and the little girl--between them?

Purchase The Promise of Rain

Thoughts

Wow. Wow! It was so refreshing to read such a clean romance. I thoroughly enjoyed The Promise of Rain.

Our main characters, Anna and Jack, are long-time friends. Anna has trust issues about men and love due to her father. Jack has trust and love issues due to his birth parents. 

Jack was adopted after his biological parents died from drug overdoses. He was grateful and loved his adoptive family, but never could say the word, "love."

Anna loved Jack, but refused to be the one to say it. 

After graduating from college, Jack and Anna took their friendship to the next level. Anna was leaving for Africa and Jack proposed. Anna thought he was only proposing because they had taken that big step in their relationship. She turned him down and ran to Africa so she could do her elephant project.

Jack, not knowing that Anna got pregnant that night, shows up at her elephant camp to see a little girl who is a mirror image of himself.

The story alternates POV between Anna and Jack. It's actually nice to get into both of their heads. It makes their stubbornness so much more understood.

With all of the bickering, doubting of feelings, deciding to build back a friendship, and the daughter living situation, the background story is about the poaching of elephants in the Serengeti. I absolutely love that Sinara was able to build such a creative and visionary place for my mind. I empathized with those sweet baby elephants and with the funding crisis Anna and her team were having.

If you love a great heartfelt (or heartwarming...haha! Get it!?!) book, this is definitely one to add to your TBR list. So much information and great reading and tears at the end.

A review copy was provided. All thoughts are my own and I have not been persuaded in any way.

Rating

The Promise of Rain definitely deserves 4 lovey-dovey Mickeys from me! I loved the story and the passion for the elephants, poaching, and Africa. I love when an author has such a strong connection to the topic.

About the Author

After a childhood enriched with exotic travels and adventures (both in books and real life), Rula

Sinara is now settled in rural Virginia with her husband, three boys and crazy but endearing pets. When she's not writing, she's busy attracting wildlife to her yard, watching romantic movies (despite male protests) or researching trees on her garden wish list.

Her debut novel, The Promise of Rain (Harlequin Heartwarming), will release January 2014. It's set primarily at an orphaned elephant rescue camp in Kenya's Serengeti and is the first of three books in a series.

Rula enjoys interviewing fellow authors and is a Special Contributor for USA Today's Happy Ever After blog. Find links to her interviews and discover more about her at www.rulasinara.com or www.awritersrush.blogspot.com.

SARC 2014 - January Sign-Ups

2014 has begun! Can you believe it? The Standalone Reading Challenge, SARC, is back for a third year! This time, Hafsah, from Iceybooks, has a new co-host this year...ME! Britta may return next year, but for now, it's Hafsah and me! (Thanks Hafsah!)

The Standalone Reading Challenge is easy and fun - plus you'll get a chance to win some awesome prizes. Read more about the challenge and SIGN UP HERE. Be sure to grab a button for your sidebar too!

So what are you waiting for? Read a 2014 standalone - if you're not sure what counts, check out our list of Standalones here - write your review, link up, and get your name in the hat for January's prize pack!

(1) KEEP YOUR ENEMIES CLOSE ebook
(1) NO ONE ELSE CAN HAVE YOU ARC
(1) MORE THAN GOOD ENOUGH Paperback
(1) PIVOT POINT Bookmark
(1) FRACTURE Bookmark

Special thanks to the donators:
H.S. Stone
Crissa-Jean Chappell

Please note, prize pack contents are subject to change. Open to US Only.

And if you still haven't signed up, do so HERE.

So what are you waiting for? Read, Review, and Link up!

Salt: Review (w/ Giveaway)

 

Title: SALT

Author: Danielle Ellison
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source: ARC for a blog tour (Rockstar Book Tours)

Summary & Cover

Penelope is a witch, part of a secret society protecting humans from demon attacks. But when she was a child, a demon killed her parents—and stole her magic. Since then, she’s been pretending to be something she’s not, using her sister’s magic to hide her own loss, to prevent being sent away.

When she’s finally given the chance to join the elite demon-hunting force, Penelope thinks that will finally change. With her sister’s help, she can squeeze through the tests and get access to the information she needs to find "her" demon. To take back what was stolen.

Then she meets Carter. He’s cute, smart, and she can borrow his magic, too. He knows her secret—but he also has one of his own.

Suddenly, Penelope’s impossible quest becomes far more complicated. Because Carter’s not telling her everything, and it’s starting to seem like the demons have their own agenda…and they’re far too interested in her.

Purchase Salt 

 

iTunes

Thoughts

Secrets. Secrets. Secrets! I loved how all of the secrets and hidden information slowly made its way though the story. So many secrets!

Penelope is our main character. She had lost her witch's essence when she was little when her parents were killed by a demon and that same demon tried to kill her. She is able to tap into magic while any of her family members are around. When she meets a new person...a booooyyyyy...she is also able to tap into her magic.

The boy is Carter. And let me tell ya girls, I adored me some Carter. 
Exhibit number 1:"I see you, Pen" he says, his hands holding firm to my cheeks. "You're the sun and the moon and the stars -- impossible to miss." (p. 285 in the ARC. Subject to change in the final version) (but I hope not!)

Once Carter and Penelope meet, they are instantly drawn together. Not in a romantic way, but in a power kind of way. They each feel the other when their powers are used. They both have secrets and they use the secrets to help one another.

The book actually reminds me a bit of the fantastic show, Charmed. Some of the terminology, special powers, demons (more on that when you read the book!!!) really stood out and made me love it and had me reminiscing of one of my favorite and most missed TV shows. :)

Penelope's snark was fantastic! Carter taking the snark and tossing it right back was even better. Of course there was kissing that I loooooved! There were several times I laughed. Out loud!

Ellison had me hooked from page 1.
"Gran always told us not to leave home without salt in our pocket." (p. 1 in the ARC)

I am definitely looking forward to getting more of Penelope and Carter's story. This book seemed to only break the surface of what could be out there and ready to happen to them!

A review copy was provided. All thoughts are my own and I have not been persuaded in any way.
Rating

About the Author

Danielle Ellison is from a small town in West Virginia. She spent her childhood pretending to fly and talking to imaginary friends. When she grew up, she finally flew away (in an airplane) and started traveling the world. She hasn’t stopped yet, but someday she may decide to settle in one place. Her real life friends would definitely like that; they would probably also like if she stopped talking to her characters out loud.

SALT comes out in August 2013, and then it's sequel. In October 2014, FOLLOW ME THROUGH DARKNESS (book one of the BOUNDLESS Trilogy) comes out. She's got a busy few years! 

Giveaway

1 SALT Necklace US Only

3 eBooks of SALT International

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Week 1:

12/30/2013- Bibliophilia, Please- Guest Post 

12/30/2013- Lost in Ever After- Review

12/31/2013- Shortie Says- Interview

12/31/2013- Dizneeee's World of Books- Review

1/1/2014- Whimsically Yours- Guest Post

1/1/2014- Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews- Review

1/2/2014- Chasm of Books- Review

1/2/2014- The Demon Librarian- Review

1/3/2014- Jenuine Cupcakes- Interview

1/3/2014- Such A Novel Idea- Review

Week 2:

1/6/2014- Page Turners- Guest Post

1/6/2014- Musings of a Blogder -Review

1/7/2014- IceyBooks - Guest Post 

1/7/2014- Donnie Darko Girl - Review

1/8/2014- Reading Teen- Guest Post

1/8/2014- In the Best Worlds- Review

1/9/2014- Allodoxophobia- Playlist

1/9/2014- Pieces of Whimsy- Review

1/10/2014- A Book and a Latte- Interview

1/10/2014- The Busy Bibliophile- Review

The Romeo Club: Cover Reveal

Title: The Romeo Club
Author: Rebekah L. Purdy
Release Date: 03/25/14
YA CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Summary from Goodreads

THE ROMEO CLUB is Hitch meets The Secret of My Success.
What happens when you agree to help your brother “de-nerdify” so he can catch the attention of the popular Chloe Anders, and to everyone's surprise, he actually lands her?

And what if his equally geeky friends come running with girl wish lists of their own, offering money for your services?

Well, if you’re sixteen-year-old, Delyla Denson, then you start The Romeo Club. A secret club where she’ll teach these guys how talk, act, and be cool around girls. It’s a win-win situation.

She’ll get enough money for the awesome prom dress she’s had her eye on, and the guys, well, they’ll get dates and maybe learn how to do something other than beat the next level on their video games.

There are only two problems with this plan. One, her quarterback/track star boyfriend is getting jealous of how much time she’s spending away from him and decides to try and figure out what’s going on. And two, Delyla is kind of falling for her brother’s BFF, Trey who she’s been hanging out with a lot more. And who thanks to her help, has caught the attention of the beautiful, perfect, and popular, Portia Rickard. With Portia and Trey heating up, Delyla realizes that maybe the person she’s meant to be with has been in front of her all this time.

But falling for Trey means she’ll have to take drastic measures including sabotage, with a capital S.

About the Author

Rebekah Purdy grew up in Michigan, where she spent many late nights armed with a good book and a flashlight. When not hiding at her computer and getting lost in her stories, she enjoys reading, singing, soccer, swimming, football, camping, playing video games and hanging out with her kids. She loves the unexplainable like Bigfoot, the Dogman, and the Loch Ness Monster (lots of good story material)! She admits to still having all the books she bought throughout her childhood and teen years, and she may or may not have an obsession with anything chocolate…

Cover Reveal Organized by:

Where You'll Find Me: Cover Reveal (w/ Giveaway)

Today, Erin Fletcher and Entangled Teen are revealing the cover for WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME, releasing early 2014! Check out the gorgeous cover, exclusive excerpt, and enter to win an eARC!

On to the reveal!

When Hanley Helton discovers a boy living in her garage, she knows she should kick him out. But Nate is too charming to be dangerous. He just needs a place to get away, which Hanley understands. Her own escape methods—vodka, black hair dye, and pretending the past didn't happen—are more traditional, but who is she to judge?

Nate doesn't tell her why he's in her garage, and she doesn't tell him what she's running from. Soon, Hanley's trading her late-night escapades for all-night conversations and stolen kisses. But when Nate's recognized as the missing teen from the news, Hanley isn't sure which is worse: that she's harboring a fugitive, or that she's in love with one.

Pre-Order Where You'll Find Me

  

iTunes

Exclusive Excerpt
Nate looks me over, from my jacket to my favorite pair of jeans, to the shoes that are bonfire-worthy but still cute. My hair, with the help of a straightener, is so silky that my dark bangs fall into my eyes even more than usual. My eye makeup is amped up. Whether all of this is because of the bonfire or because of who I hoped I’d run into before leaving is open for debate. He reaches up and brushes my bangs away from my face. The split-second touch makes me crave more. “You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you.”

“Where are you headed?”

Though staying here in the garage might be a better option, I say, “A bonfire.”

Nate studies me again, but this time it feels like he’s looking for something deeper. “Don’t you ever get tired of sneaking out?”

“Not really,” I say with a shrug.

He tugs on the zipper of my fleece, lowering it slightly and pulling me closer. “What are you running from, Hanley?”

It feels like my secrets are written all over my face, but I say, “Nothing.”

When he smiles, it’s almost sad. “I don’t buy it.”

I lean in, putting both hands on the car behind him, one on either side, trapping him. “You tell me why you’re living in my garage and I’ll tell you what I’m running from.”

He gives a sly smile and doesn’t budge. “Secrets it is.”

“Secrets it is,” I echo. And even though the small space between us is electric and threatening to disappear, I push off the car and step away. “I’ll see you later,” I say as I open the door.

“Hanley,” he says before I can get too far. “Be careful out there, okay?”

I don’t make any promises.

About the Author
Erin Fletcher is a morning person who does most of her writing before sunrise while drinking excessive quantities of coffee, believes flip-flops qualify as year-round footwear, and would spend every day at the beach if she could. She has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics (which is almost never useful when writing books) and lives in North Carolina.


Giveaway
1 eARC of WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME (International)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

2014 Standalone Reading Challenge: Author/Publisher Sign Ups

2014 is around the corner and it's almost time for another year of the Standalone Reading Challenge! We really appreciate everyone who participated in 2013, and we would like to thank in advance every author who signs up to participate in the challenge in 2014.

The Lowdown

The challenge is to read 15 young adult or middle grade standalone novels (companions count) releasing in 2014. You can learn more about the challenge HERE.

What We Need

Are you an author with a standalone novel releasing sometime in 2014? We need your help! Sign up for a promotional post and/or a donation relating to your book, and you could be featured on IceyBooks or Dizneeee's World of Books. The form can be found HERE or embedded below.

What Happens Next

After you fill out the form, Hafsah or I will send a confirmation email soon after, and then another reminder email closer to the date of giveaway/promo post (we try to post within the book's release month) to get everything together. Thanks again!

2014 Standalone Reading Challenge: Grab a Button

Are you taking part in the 2014 Standalone Reading Challenge? You're beyond awesome.
Snag a button and plop it on your blog. You know you want to!

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