River Ahlers is damaged goods. On the surface she’s a driven businesswoman, leading a new division of the marketing firm she works for. But she knows better than anyone that being driven also tends to drive people away. At twenty-eight … Continue reading
In one another they can find perfection, if only they are willing to reshape their shattered dreams into new, better ones. River Ahlers is damaged goods. On the surface she’s a driven businesswoman, leading a new division of the marketing … Continue reading
The Dire King by William Ritter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
William Ritter seamlessly weaves the dry humor and mystery of Sherlock Holmes with mystical creatures through his Jackaby series. The Dire King is the final tale in the Jackaby series, which is narrated by Jackaby’s assistant Abigial Rook. The novel is set in the Victorian era America where not only has Abigail sought refuge, but many mystical creatures have as well. Ritter does an excellent job balancing out his description of the world as Abigail and Jackaby see it with delightful dialogue that keeps the book moving quickly ahead. I was excited to see the hint of romance we were shown in the last novel continue with both Charlie and Abigail and Jenny and Jackaby. This novel is my favorite in the series because it speaks to deeper tones of persecution and racism that we are seeing today, showcasing a world at the brink of war due to lack of open mindedness. The parallelism between characters shows hope can conquer all to bring back the light in even the darkest corners, and how love can make us better even when we’re ripped apart. The Dire King is the perfect ending to the series, tying all ends together and leaving the reader with a sense of hope for a better world.
The House of Secrets by Brad Meltzer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Complicated. That’s pretty much the only way I can describe this political thriller. It feels a bit all over the place, which is probably why it’s so engaging. Just as the characters are confused, you are and just as they start to put the pieces together, you did. It’s like history, convoluted and only crystal clear for a moment — then it’s muddied by perception. Confused? I’d suggest you read the novel to find out what I mean. Exceptional story.
The Rules of Love & Grammar by Mary Simses
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Overall, it took a lot to get through this novel. The main character Grace has just lost her job, her boyfriend and her apartment’s ceiling has collapsed. So she finds herself back in her hometown, reliving memories of her past, including the death of her sister when she was a teenager. It would all be touching except for the fact that Grace is 33 and acts like a thirteen-year-old, what’s worse is that she regresses instead of progressing. Then there’s a ‘epiphany’ moment that is unbelievable, and it still does nothing to make Grace more likable. The writing is stilted at times, burdened by unneeded description with dialogue that feels forced. Overall, it was cute, but I struggled with the immaturity of the main character. If she’d been twenty, the events would’ve been more believable and maybe a bit less annoying.
WEEK TWO: BEHIND THE LENS
8/4-8/8
Natalie Scott’s life is simple with no strings attached. As a band photographer, she’s made metal music her life, and life on tour means no relationships.
At least not ones that last and that’s the way she likes it.
She only has one rule.
Don’t date or otherwise screw around with the client.
But she never said anything about love.
Brent Andrews knows Natalie’s rules.
And he’s about to make sure he’s an exception to them.
All of them.
Even ones she doesn’t know she has.
Happy Summer, Book Loving Friends!
We’re in the dog days of summer, and I don’t know about you, but hanging out by the beach (or in the comfort of the AC) with a good book is exactly where I want to be! So to celebrate summer and relaxing, I’m having a sale.
Three Books.
Three Weeks.
All FREE!
We’re starting off with my newest series, Boys of Fallout. Each book can be read as a stand alone, so don’t worry about reading them in order. Just click the Amazon button and get them on your Kindle! Sit back, relax and fall in love with these rock star characters!
For the third book, we’re wrapping up with a surprise — my favorite published novel I’ve ever written… so stay tuned for a future email on that!
And if you love them as much as I do, don’t forget to post a review — reviews and word of mouth are what sell books!
Happy Reading!
Always,
Cassie
WEEK ONE: REBEL CAUSE
7/21-7/25
Reese White has spent her whole life trying so hard to be perfect, that when she looks in the mirror, she doesn’t know the person staring back at her. Sure, she’s always gotten high grades and excelled academically, but she’s never put much time into herself. Now, as she heads off to college, Reese realizes she’s remained so hidden inside a book that she’s invisible to everyone, including herself.
Kellin Lake has always seen Reese, his little sister’s best friend, the beautiful girl hidden behind baggy clothes and good grades–but he’s hiding, too– even from her. Tattoos, lip piercing and lead singer in a metal band, he’s a rebel without a cause. But that’s just to the people at school. At home, he covers it all up, and he’s the boy with the angel’s voice, and a 4.0 only his parents know about.
When Reese flips the switch and takes control of her looks, they make an arrangement– pretend to be in a relationship to elevate Reese’s social status. It’s simple. Kellin helps his sister’s best friend, and Reese isn’t invisible anymore. No one falls in love. No one gets hurt. But what Reese doesn’t realize is Kellin is already in love with her.
And now things get a hell of a lot more complicated.
Summer is officially here! I’ve teamed up with 8 Young Adult authors to host this amazing summer giveaway that will run the entire month of June.
Here’s what one lucky winner will get:
9 Signed Paperback books + swag from these authors:
Linda Budzinski
Natalie Decker
Jennifer DiGiovanni
Cassandra Giovanni
Deirdre Riordan Hall
Rebekah L. Purdy
Amy Sparling
Patricia B. Tighe
Cheyanne Young
A $10 Starbucks Gift card + a bottle of nail polish (donated by Natalie Decker)
A $10 Amazon Gift Card (will be emailed to the winner)
A Cute Heart Books tote bag for all your summer book needs
Today is the cover reveal for Tide by Deirdre Riordan Hall. This cover reveal is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The cover is designed by Nova Book Covers
Tide (The Sea & Sand series #1)
By Deirdre Riordan Hall
Genre: Fantasy
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: May 16, 2017
Blurb:
Never trust a mermaid’s kiss.Tyler McColdrum has a bright future on the professional surfing circuit until his father tragically dies at sea. Unable to pay the bills, Tyler and his mother leave California and move to his late grandfather’s cottage in Land’s End, Maine—a world away from the life he’s known. Not even the stormy Atlantic can douse Tyler’s surf stoke, but when mariners go missing off the coast, legends as old as the sea itself suggest something lurks beneath the surface. As the police investigate, his friend Kiwa—the only female surfer for miles—indicates there’s more to the McColdrum family history than blood and bone.
Amara is a beautiful mermaid, a mero, who wants a life on land away from her sinister sisters. As charming as mero are, with musical voices and a tempting gaze, they’re also brutal and cruel, stealing the souls of sailors. As Initiation nears, Amara learns Poseidon selected her as consort and her desperation for freedom increases. When Tyler encounters Amara, he falls hard for her. The ocean is no longer safe for him, but he trusts their love can overcome her mero nature. As locals and officials wage war against the sea, trying to keep mariners safe, Tyler and Amara struggle with how to protect each other.
With one foot in the sand and the other in the sea, Tyler must choose love or the surf as the tide quickly rises.
You can find Tide on Goodreads
You can pre-order Tide on Amazon
Share the love!
Please share the Tide love with your Twitter, Facebook, & social media friends:
Copy and paste to Tweet:
Never trust a mermaid’s kiss. Tide #youngadult #fantasy available 5/16 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34796931-tide
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When sailors go missing off the coast of the Atlantic, Tyler learns alluring and beautiful doesn’t mean harmless, leaving it up to him to stop the mero or lose more souls to the sea. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y1JZFD9/
About the Author:
Deirdre Riordan Hall is the author of the young adult bestsellers, Sugar and Pearl along with women’s fiction. When she’s not writing, she’s probably surfing or in pursuit of magic. She also has a healthy case of wanderlust, loves chips and salsa, and dreams about learning no less than three languages. Join her monthly newsie.
You can find and contact Deirdre Riordan Hall here:
– Website
– Blog
– Facebook
– Twitter
– Goodreads
– Amazon
– Instagram
– Pinterest
– Tumblr
– Newsletter
Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of Tide. One winner will win a copy of Tide by Deirdre Riordan Hall. This giveaway is open international as long as the Bookdepository ships to your country.
For a chance to win enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Today is the cover reveal for Rebel Cause by Cassandra Giovanni. This cover reveal is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours.
Rebel Cause (Boys of Fallout #3)
By Cassandra Giovanni
Genre: Young Adult/ New Adult
Age category: Coming of Age
Release Date: July 11, 2017
Blurb:
Reese White has spent her whole life trying so hard to be perfect, that when she looks in the mirror, she doesn’t know the person staring back at her. Sure, she’s always gotten high grades and excelled academically, but she’s never put much time into herself. Now, as she heads off to college, Reese realizes she’s remained so hidden inside a book that she’s invisible to everyone, including herself.Kellin Lake has always seen Reese, his little sister’s best friend, the beautiful girl hidden behind baggy clothes and good grades–but he’s hiding, too– even from her. Tattoos, lip piercing and lead singer in a metal band, he’s a rebel without a cause. But that’s just to the people at school. At home, he covers it all up, and he’s the boy with the angel’s voice, and a 4.0 only his parents know about.
When Reese flips the switch and takes control of her looks, they make an arrangement– pretend to be in a relationship to elevate Reese’s social status. It’s simple. Kellin helps his sister’s best friend, and Reese isn’t invisible anymore. No one falls in love. No one gets hurt. But what Reese doesn’t realize is Kellin is already in love with her.
And now things get a hell of a lot more complicated.
You can find Rebel Cause on Goodreads
You can pre-order Rebel Cause on Amazon
Excerpt:
Lindy narrows her eyes at me, and I shake my head.
Maybe it’s a good thing. I don’t need her to think I’m developing something for her brother…or that I’ve always had something for him. I squeeze my fists together until my nails bit into my palms. I look up at Kellin.
I don’t feel anything different than I’ve ever felt around him.
He gives me a smile and comes forward to pull me into his arms, tucking his head into my hair. “I missed you, Ree.”
I smile as I hug him back, the happiness I always feel around him overtaking any of the odd thoughts I’m having away. He pulls away, looking down at me, and I feel like me.
Just me.
“So why haven’t you packed anything?” he asks as he looks around my room, hands in his pockets. He’s wearing the heather blue Henley with the hood I bought him for his birthday. He has the sleeves pushed up, and the buttons undone so his tattoos show in all their glory, but he’ll be able to hide them if my parents come home.
“I don’t know what to bring,” I admit.
“You can bring everything if you want,” Kellin replies, crossing his arms. “It’s our home indefinitely. We don’t have to come back for breaks unless we want to.”
“Good point…I just don’t know where to start,” I reply with a shrug.
Kellin gives me a grin, and my skin heats up as our eyes remain locked on each other. I can’t look away or stop smiling. I finally turn around, grabbing a box as I chastise myself. This is Kellin– KELLIN, my best friend’s brother. My good friend for four years. He’s older. Sexy as hell– damn it! Off limits, Reese!
I take a deep breath as I feel Kellin behind me.
“Let me give you a hand?” he asks, giving me one of those infectious, crooked-kid-like grins.
“It’s an empty box, Kell. I think I can handle it,” I reply, nudging him out of the way.
“You sure about that?” he teases, raising an eyebrow at me.
“Ree? You up there?” Mom calls my name, and I look at Kellin frozen as her hand turns the knob to my door.
I jump on his back, pulling down his sleeves as I do and wrapping my arms around his neck to cover his collarbone. Kellin catches my legs and holds me there just as Mom opens the door.
She blinks a few times at us, and I give her a smile.
“Kellin and Lindy came over to help me pack,” I say.
“I can see that…but why are you on Kellin’s back?” she asks, and I hear Lindy stifle a giggle as Kellin’s arms tighten around my legs in panic.
“I was betting him that he couldn’t pick me up,” I say as I slip one hand under my arm and button the shirt. I slide down his back. “I guess I was wrong!”
Mom looks between Kellin and me before shaking her head. “Well, Reese could really use your help. As you can tell she hasn’t even started thinking about moving yet.”
“I’ve been thinking about it. I just haven’t done anything yet,” I reply.
She rolls her eyes in response. “So I should order a pizza for dinner?”
“That’d be great,” Kellin replies as he opens one of my drawers and immediately closes it, placing his hands behind his head as he purses his lips together.
“Found the underwear drawer?” Mom asks as she smirks at him before shutting the door.
Kellin taps his thumbs against his jeans as he looks around the room. “Uh…thanks for that.”
I nod as I step past him and open the same drawer and start dropping my bras and underwear into the box in front of him. His eyes find the ceiling as his face turns red. “Really, Ree? You couldn’t like wear, I don’t know…normal stuff?”
I look up at him as I drop a pair of black lace boy shorts into the box. “What’s not normal about them?”
He rubs his face. “You practically wear bags as clothing–and then you wear that underneath?”
I pop my hip out as I lock eyes with him. “Do you like it or something?”
Lindy makes a gagging noise behind him. “Could you guys save the flirting for when I’m not around?”
It’s my turn to be embarrassed. I drop the last item into the box and start piling my pajamas, which were pretty close to what I wear every day, on top. Kellin doesn’t respond but grabs another empty box and heads to my closet. He pauses, hand on the knob before looking over his shoulder at me.
“Is there anything I need to be cautious of in here?”
I shake my head. “You found the only thing you really wouldn’t want to see the first drawer you opened.”
Lindy coughs, muttering under her breath, “Who says he didn’t want to see it?”
I watch as Kellin’s eyebrows twitch, his eyes narrowing on his sister. She shoots him a similar look, and I stand in the middle puzzled.
About the Author:
Cassandra doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since then Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character’s stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. Besides being a writer, Cassandra is a professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is happily married to the man of her dreams, and they live in the rolling hills of New England with their daughter, Hope and dogs, Bubski and Kanga. For regular updates visit Cassandra’s website http://www.cgiovanniauthor.com and sign up for her newsletter.
You can find and contact Cassandra here:
– Website
– Facebook
– Twitter
– Goodreads
– Instagram
– Newsletter
Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of Rebel Cause. One winner will win a paperback copy of Out of Beat and Behind the Lens by Cassandra Giovanni (US Only).
For a chance to win, enter the giveaway here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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