Stacking the Shelves / Showcase Sunday #7

Showcase Sunday is hosted by Vicky @Books, Biscuits, and Tea and Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and they both give bloggers the opportunity to share the books they have received in the past week.

I didn't manage to do one of these post last week that means this on is HUGE because it has 2 weeks worth of books. I received several amazing looking paperback books to review that i can't wait to start reading as well as quite a few ebooks too.

Saving Ben

*Paperback*

A great and mysterious sounding New Adult novel that sound a little different and intriguing.

Thank you to Ashley Farley for sending me the copy for review

Boy Nobody

*Paperback*

This is a YA thriller described as "Jason Bourne meets James Bond for teens". It sounds very amazing and the first few pages certainly look it.

Thank you to Orchard books for the ARC copy.

This book releases 6th June

Dreams

*Paperback*

This is the first book in the Sarah Midnight trilogy - a YA paranormal series about demons and demon hunters. I also received the second book Tide. They both seem to have a great premise and it has been a while since i read a book about demon hunters.

Thank you to Black&White publishing for both of the review copies.

If You Find Me

*Paperback*

A dark and apparently chilling YA novel that tackles some serious issues. I have seen lots of people saying this book is amazing so i can't wait to see what it is about this book that has been getting that response.

Thank you to Nina from Orion children's books.

I received an e-arc of this great little book last week. I have already read it and it is super sexy and funny. If you want a light, funny, steamy read then this book is perfect.

Thank you Lauren for getting me a copy i could read before release. You are a star :)

An intriguing sounding New Adult novel that deals with issues such a depression and eating disorders.

Thank you to Fleur Gaskin for the review copy.

Off Sides

A New Adult contemporary romance novel about two very different people who meet and fall in love.

Thank you to Sawyer Bennett for the review copy.

Death Lies Betwwen Us

A New Adult paranormal romance about an angel of death falling in love with the girl he is supposed to take to the other side.

Thank you to Jody Kessler for the review copy.








I also received an ecopy of Real by Katy Evans to read and review.

Netgalley

Zenn Scarlette

I first heard about this book when the people at Strange Chemistry revealed that beautiful cover. It is a YA Sci-Fi novel that sounds amazing.

Ten Tiny Breaths

I have heard many great things about this New Adult books. I have often heard people raving about how good it is so i couldn't pass up the opportunity to review it.










Kindle Freebies

Several great looking books were free on amazon this week. Some may still be free.

Crossroads

The Bonds Of Blood

Destined For Harmony

Redemption

Bought

Deeper We Fall

I loved My Favourite Mistake and have been wanting to read one of the authors other books ever since so this week i decided to buy the ebook of Deeper We Fall.









So what do you think of these books? Are there any you have read or want to read? Feel free to link to your own Stacking The Shelves or similar posts in the comments.

Interview with Sedona Venez

Infinity (Valkyries: Soaring Raven)

Infinity

 

Synopsis

Infinity discovers a dark secret from her past that rocks everything she knows to be true.

A troubled 22-year-old superstar singer, Infinity has a bad reputation for drugs and hard partying. Now, she is on the road to a comeback with her controversial tour. But everything about doing the concert feels wrong from missing employees, to anonymous threats about ruining her career. She is dealing with a powerful corporation that is determined to kill her and everyone she loves. She is also battling for control of her life and career from a relationship that crossed the fine line between love and obsession. Infinity knows too much, even though she doesn't realize it. Secrets have been kept and these secrets are powerful enough to destroy her and everyone she loves.

Now she must put her safety and trust in the hands of sexy, tattooed and delicious Torch Channing and Boulder Vigari, hired to keep her from getting killed. Boulder wants to make her his. He won't stop until he claims her. Torch struggles with his primal need to possess her and his hatred of everything she represents.

Infinity is determined to protect her heart while dealing with the pressure of pulling off another successful tour without spiraling into another mental meltdown.

Contains adult content. For readers ages 17+ only.

Excerpt from Infinity

She gave me the universal parent stare—the stare that told me to shut the hell up if I knew what was good for me. So I shut up, shivering and delirious, imagining the sordid entertainment news story tearing into my impending tragic death:

Infinity, superstar singer and actress, froze to death last night at the luxury estate of her mother, beauty guru, Kara Montgomery. It is speculated that her life ended in a horrible fashion mess. Crime scene photos showed frozen, bare-faced Infinity wearing scruffy workout wear and hair pulled into an unkempt, but cute, up-do. Was this an act of an enraged stylist? Or a mother gone crazy? Stay tuned for an in-depth exposé of the life and times of a drugged-out superstar…

Mom was stomping around, staring at the sky, mumbling like a deranged woman—something I was unfortunately used to. Her pale, unblemished skin flushed as she angrily whipped her head around to glare at me with those haunted violet eyes. “Do you feel that, Infinity?”

Should I pretend to faint, hoping she would leave me alone? Nope, she would probably nudge me with the tip of her boot until I answered. She was stubborn like that. Exasperated, I rolled my bright emerald eyes before responding. “Mom, this is crazy. I’m standing out here freezing my ass off.”

Impatiently, she snapped her waist-length blond ponytail over her shoulder. Her eyes held an intense, regal air that annoyed me at times like this, as her voice came out as a weird commanding rumble. Mom was pissed. “And you’ll continue to freeze your ass off. All night. Until you give me what I want.”

My teeth chattered as I jumped up and down trying to keep warm. “Yes, okay? Something feels weird tonight, and before you ask, yes I’m opening all my senses. I really can’t tell what the problem is.”

She paced back and forth in deep thought. Occasionally, she would stop and stare at the ravens that croaked adamantly as if passing on some secret Masonic message.

“Okay, Mom, you’re making me real nervous with the pacing. What’s going on?” I wasn’t joking—she was making me real nervous. I could feel her tension and anxiety emanating from her like a beacon.

She stopped cold, looking at me with worried eyes. “Trouble. Trouble is coming.”

My heart stopped. She was freaking me out. “And what type of trouble are we talking about? Trouble, like my hair stylist broke her leg right before the concert and I’m reduced to having Zoe do my hair? Or BIG trouble, like I might not make it to the concert due to death?”

Her gaze shifted away and back to the sky. “I can’t really tell.”

For more about Infinity check out the  Book Trailer

Purchase Links:

Add it to your Goodreads To-Read List

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble 

iBookstore

 

Interview with Sedona Venez

Why did you decide to become an author?

I’ve always loved writing. For years I carried around a notebook, writing down plots and ideas, character profiles just so that I wouldn’t forget. But it was years until I decided to put the pieces together and write my first preteen/teen book “The Secret of the Scarlet Stone”.

How do you balance writing with other things in your life?

The balance of writing and personal life is challenging but it’s very important. Writing, especially as an indie author is like an onion—there are many layers…editing, publishing, marketing, touching base with readers, updating your blog, etc.—then back to working on your next book. But without balance, writing can be all consuming and not in a good way. Family, traveling and exercise are very important to me. My family balances me. Traveling spurs my imagination. Exercise clears my mind.

What are your favorite books?

 

I’m a paranormal romance book junkie, so I read a lot of books from a variety of authors. Right now, I’m reading the Elemental Mysteries series.

 

Are there any books/authors that inspired you to write?

I wouldn’t say that there was any book or author that inspired me to write because I’ve had the writing bug since I was young. But I would say to any aspiring authors out there, if you are looking for inspiration there are plenty of authors like indie author Samantha Young that write fabulous books, works hard, and connects to her fans in a way that many authors can learn a lot from.

 

Describe your book in one sentence.

It’s an intense, crazy sexy rollercoaster ride filled with drama, passion, hot wolf-shifters and vampires and absolutely no happily ever after.

Where did you get the idea for this book, did anything inspire you to write it?

I consider myself a paranormal romance book junkie but I found it hard to find a PNR book with a multicultural protagonist with a kick-ass persona. That’s when I started tossing around ideas combining my favorite things—music, shifters, vampires and romance and came up with the sexy plot for‘Infinity’. It’s different but it works.

What made you decide to write about a paranormal New Adult book?

Frankly, I had been denying the natural progression of my writing for a while. I was so ready to write something with a little more angst, passion, and romance but delayed it more from trepidation of doing something so different from most of the books out there. So I pushed to finish writing book #2 of my preteen/teen series The Gabby Girls Adventure series.

But after publishing it, I was literally in the middle of writing book #3 of the series when I just stopped writing smack dab in the middle of it. It was a gut wrenching feeling but I knew that the writing seemed stiff because I was trying to tone down the language, the plot, the characters--practically everything to fit into the target audience—preteen/teen. It didn’t feel right and I knew why—it was time to step away from the series…finally step out from the box, follow my heart and write “Infinity”—a concept that had been jumping up-and-down saying write me—now!

What would you say makes your book unique and worth reading?

It’s a unique twist of the Valkyries mythology with a multicultural protagonist that is flawed—strong—confident and fighting for control of her life and career. I think a lot of women can connect with the lead character that seems to have it all but inside is struggling to connect the dots in life without drowning.

Is there any specific message you wanted to convey in the book?

As a woman, you can be strong and confident but letting those around you see your flaws and your doubts doesn't make you weak--it makes you human.

What are your plans for future books?

2013 is going to very busy for me. I’m planning to release book #2 of the Valkyries: Soaring Raven series and book #1 of an untitled adult paranormal romance series.

Do you have any hobbies and Interests unrelated to books?

I’m a Zumba (dance fitness) and yoga fanatic.

Would you ever consider putting these (answer to above) into any of your books?

Absolutely.

About the Author

Sedona Venez writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy romance, and science fiction romance. She lives in the North East in the city that never sleeps. Sedona can be found online in all the usual haunts:  

Her Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Cover reveal for Game. Set. Match.

Today i am revealing the cover for Game. Set. Match. by Jennifer Lacopelli, a New Adult contemporary novel set at an elite tennis academy. This is a book i can't wait for as i think the sport element to it will be interesting. After all becoming an elite athlete takes time and effort, i can't wait to see how the characters combine that with growing up and falling in love. This post also has an incredible giveaway with the opportunity to win giftcards and lots of swag. So here is the lovely cover.



Game. Set. Match

Synopsis

Nestled along the coastline of North Carolina, the Outer Banks Tennis Academy is the best elite tennis training facility in the world. Head Coach, Dominic Kingston has assembled some of the finest talent in the sport. From the game's biggest stars to athletes scraping and clawing to achieve their dreams, OBX is full of ego, drama and romance. Only the strong survive in this pressure cooker of competition, on and off the court.

Penny Harrison, the biggest rising star in tennis, is determined to win the French Open and beat her rival, the world’s number one player, Zina Lutrova. There’s just one problem, the only person who’s ever been able to shake her laser-like focus is her new training partner. Alex Russell, tennis’s resident bad boy, is at OBX recovering from a knee injury suffered after he crashed his motorcycle (with an Aussie supermodel on the back). He's hoping to regain his former place at the top of men’s tennis and Penny’s heart, while he’s at it.

Tennis is all Jasmine Randazzo has ever known. Her parents have seven Grand Slam championships between them and she’s desperate to live up to their legacy. Her best friend is Teddy Harrison, Penny’s twin brother, and that’s all they’ve ever been, friends. Then one stupid, alcohol-laced kiss makes everything super awkward just as she as she starts prepping for the biggest junior tournament of the year, the Outer Banks Classic.

The Classic is what draws Indiana Gaffney out of the hole she crawled into after her mom’s death. Even though she’s new to OBX, a win at the Classic is definitely possible. She has a big serve and killer forehand, but the rest of her game isn’t quite up to scratch and it doesn’t help that Jasmine Randazzo and her little minions are stuck-up bitches or that Jack Harrison, Penny’s agent and oldest brother, is too hot for words, not to mention way too old for her.

Who will rise? Who will fall?

Told from rotating points of view, GAME. SET. MATCH. is a 'new adult' novel about three girls with one goal: to be the best tennis player in the world.

Giveaway

Enter to win a $50 giftcard to Amazon or B&N and lots of swag. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Never Forget blog tour

Never Forget by Emma Hart

Synopsis

A city girl.

 

A small town boy.

 

A summer they'll never forget.

Spending the summer at her Grammy's in Lilac Bay, Devon, is city girl Alexis 'Lexy' Edwards idea of hell. That is, until she reconnects with her childhood friend, Jen, and meets Alec Johnson.

Alec is the kind of guy Lexy knows she needs to stay away from. He's the village flirt, ridiculously hot and very dangerous to her self control. But there's a problem – she can't seem to keep him out, even though she knows he'll break her heart.

As Alec slowly strips away Lexy's defences and the two embark on a summer romance she never wanted, their feelings grow to more than either expected. But nothing lasts forever, and reality intrudes.

As her world is shaken to it's core, Lexy's self made prediction comes true when she discovers she's spent six weeks surrounded by secrets. Kept out by her family and the only guy she's ever trusted, she falls apart.

And when Grammy tells her that 'you might not end up where you wanted to be, but you'll always end up where you're meant to be,' she has to figure out if her meant to be is back home in London, or if it's been in Devon the whole time.

Review

 

Never Forget is a great New Adult contemporary romance novel. It has strong characters, a beautiful romance and just enough drama to keep things interesting without going overboard.
 

Lexi starts of as a slightly shallow character so it is great watch her growth throughout the book. I loved her supportive encouraging parents; it was a refreshing change to parents discouraging the romance that is so often seen in books.
 

Never Forget is told predominantly from Alexis’s point of view but we occasionally get to see things from Alec’s perspective. I thought this was amazing as we got to see into Alec’s head as he goes from a bit of a player to falling head over heels in love with Lexi.
 

This book has one extra thing about it that gives it huge appeal; the author is from England and thoroughly embraces her Britishness in this book. If like me you are also English you can revel in references that you understand and find hilarious, if you are not then I have five words for you – sexy guys with British accents. Emma Hart is leading the way for UK NA novels.
 

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys NA and also Never Forget is perfect for fans of Abbi Glines. I can’t wait to see what else this author will bring in the future.

 

 



Young Adult to New Adult

I always had to write about this, I think, as a YA to NA author. Did I switch because it's what the market wanted?
 

No. I switched because it's what my characters wanted.
 

There are many defining differences between YA and NA – the biggest one being age and setting. In YA, you can be fourteen to twenty, I guess, but the constant factor is High School. In NA, you're eighteen to maybe, twenty-five,  and in college or working your first job.
 

New Adult isn't sexed up Young Adult. If you say this to a New Adult author, run and hide. It's likely to earn you a black eye courtesy of the nearest heavy object.
 

Let's be blunt here - there's sex in New Adult. There's hot sex in New Adult. Of course there is – in America, the sexual age of consent in most states is eighteen, in the UK it's sixteen. Why isn't New Adult from sixteen? Because it's not sexed up Young Adult – and sixteen is classed as young adult! Yes, I said it again. It's a thing a lot of people can't get. I've read some hella sexy young adult books and thought 'well, sh!t, that shouldn't be there!' ya know? I bet you have too. The bottom line with the sex thing is eighteen year olds up are likely to have sex and have more of it. That's why there's more in New Adult. There, we're done on that.

 

New Adult has a depth to it that Young Adult maybe hasn't quite reached yet. The characters are young enough to be unsure of themselves and love and life, yet not too young to see love as forever. They don't dive in head first, unconditionally, the way young adult characters do. Neither are bad things – it's just how it's viewed in the differing genres. That's not to say the love is stronger in young adult books, it's just given more freely since all they're thinking about is here and now. In New Adult, they're largely focused on their future.
 

In Never Forget, one reason Lexy holds back on her feelings for Alec is because she knows she'll be going back to London to University at the end of the summer.
 

In fact, I think smost of my characters are quite cynical about love. Huh. I put that down to the uncertainty that comes with leaving home for the first time. It's a really awkward time of life where you transition from being dependant to being... well, independent.
 

Say goodbye to mummy and daddy, because you're off on your own now.
 

There's also the fact that, since we're aiming books at a slightly older and more mature audience, many NA authors feel they can add in 'darker' subject matter. I'll hold my hand up – I wouldn't feel comfortable putting the content in my current work in progress in a young adult novel. Maybe it's because I believe a child/teen's innocence should be preserved for as long as possible before they have to learn about the big bad world – I don't know. I just know that I wouldn't write The Love Game for a young adult audience – and yes, there's more than just sex in it!
 

So there you have it. That's my take on New Adult, as both an author and an actual “New Adult.”

 

About The Author

 

By day, Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to a terrible two year old. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of wine and writes books.

She likes to write about magic, kisses and whatever else she can fit into the story. Sarcastic, witty characters are a must. As are hot guys. She has two new series planned as well as her New Adult Romance, Never Forget, due February 2013. She likes to be busy - unless busy involves doing the dishes.
Her debut YA series, The Mauve Legacy, is an Apple iBooks Bestseller - and this makes Emma excited.

 

 

Where to stalk

Smashwords Profile Page 

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads

Facebook Fan Page 

Blog

Twitter : @EmmaHartAuthor
 

Giveaway

 

As part of the blog tour for Never Forget there is a tour wide giveaway for a signed copy of Never Forget and some swag.

International giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

UK only giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of Caught Up In Us

Caught Up In Us

Synopsis - from goodreads

Five years ago, Kat Harper fell into a dizzying summer romance with her brother’s best friend Bryan. It was a mad, crazy love full of kisses all through the night — but he broke her heart and she had to move on.

Five years later, Kat is finishing her graduate degree and building her business as a jewelry designer, when Bryan, head of his own successful company, walks back into her life. Bryan has been assigned to Kat as her new business mentor and the rules are clear. No hanky panky permitted. That works for both of them. Kat needs to grow her business to help her parents; Bryan needs to run a clean operation after his former business partner’s romantic scandal that rocked his firm.

Kat can handle that because she's totally over him... right? Except, he still makes her laugh. And he remembers all the things she likes. And he's more handsome now than he was then. Then there’s the spark between them — the simply undeniable chemistry.

Can they resist each other? Or are they willing to risk everything for a second chance at first love?

Review

Caught Up In Us is the perfect feel good book. It is sweet, sexy, romantic, funny and just plain enjoyable to read. This book has become very successful very fast and you can see why. Caught Up In Us has a few slightly drama filled moments but mainly it is very light hearted and just makes you smile. It is very short but i think Lauren pulled it off; it managed to still seem like a complete and well developed storyline despite its length.

Kat is a great character, she is very smart and independent. She is unwilling to trust Bryan and let him into her heart because of how he broke it in the past. It is great to see her gradually remove the walls she has placed around her heart with his help. They are such a great couple that are clearly made for each other and you want so much for them to get their happily ever after.

One thing i loved about this book is all the flashbacks. It almost runs as two time periods - present time and when they first met 5 years earlier. It helps to highlight how the characters have changed and matured as well as giving us all the back story.

This is a book i would recommend 100% to fans of NA and romance as well as anyone who is looking for a short sweet read. This author clearly has so much potential and i think there is a chance she will become a must read author whom the world will talk about.

*I recieved this book from the author in exchange for a honest review, this has not affected my thoughts on the book in any way*

Lauren is one of the members of the New Adult book club that i run on goodreads. If you are interested in her books then come and join in the twitter chat we are having with her on Sunday. We will be talking about New Adult books, Laurens books including her next release, her success (she recently made the NYT bestseller list!) and just anything that comes up.

The chat will be 1pm PST/ 9pm GMT on Sunday 3rd March with the hashtag #LaurenBchat and lots of prizes such as ebooks and gift cards will be being given away.