Jillian Dodd Appreciation Event & Giveaway!

“THANK YOU Jillian for all that you do!”

Friends of Jillian Dodd are showing their appreciation!

In appreciation for the hard work and effort indie author Jillian Dodd does behind the scenes for authors, her writing friends are offering YOU the chance to win one of her books! You can choose from one of the Keatyn Chronicles: STALK ME or KISS ME. Or maybe you prefer one of the titles in the That Boy series: THAT BOY or THAT WEDDING. All books are New Adult contemporary romance. Good luck!

STALK ME
 
Gossip girl meets Hollywood in this new series by That Boy author, Jillian Dodd. Keatyn has everything she ever dreamed of. Her life is following the script she wrote for the perfect high school experience. She’s popular, goes to the best parties, dates the hottest guy, and sits at the most coveted lunch table. She’s just not sure she wants it anymore. Because really, things aren’t all that perfect. Her best friend is threatening to tell everyone her perfect relationship is a scam. Her perfect boyfriend gets drunk at every party they go to. It’s exhausting always trying to look and act perfect. And deep down, she isn’t sure if she has any true friends. To add to the drama, her movie star mom’s long-time fan has turned stalker. An older man is flirting with her and telling her they should make a movie together. And she’s crushing on an adorable surfer. Dating a guy like him would mean committing social suicide. So she writes a new script. One where all the pieces of her life will come together in perfect harmony. But little does she know, there’s someone who will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.

KISS ME 

I've always written scripts for my perfect life. But no way could I have ever scripted this. My life is so far from perfect, it’s not even funny.
All because of a stalker. I’m at a boarding school where I have to lie about who I am. I can’t see my family. I’m tutoring a Hottie God that tortures me with his smile. The most popular girl already hates me. But there’s this boy. This hot, sweet, sexy boy. So I’m going to stop trying to script my life and just live it. Because who knows how long I have left. 









 

THAT BOY 

That Boy is a contemporary romance about falling in love with the boys next door. You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits. There's Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible. Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth. Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me. And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no. One boy will give me my very first kiss. One boy will teach me to make out. One boy will take me to prom. And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him. They will both be my best friends. But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with. Only one of them is That Boy.

THAT WEDDING
 
The gorgeous engagement ring on my finger mimics my happiness. I feel so sparkly, glittery, and full of promise, because I absolutely know he's that boy. The boy I want to marry. My prince. My happily ever after. But then our pastor starts asking lots of questions. His parents say I haven’t dealt with my past. I have horrible wedding disaster dreams. I can’t find the perfect dress. I have to manipulate him to get my way. An old boyfriend asks me to run away with him. My best friend says I'm going to ruin everything. And forever starts to sound like a really long time. Which totally freaks me out and makes me question everything I know. Should best friends get married? Will my past affect our relationship? Are my horrible dreams a warning? Will I ever find a dress? Could his sexiness be clouding my judgment? Am I going to ruin everything? Or is it just a case of cold feet? And then I have to decide. Am I willing to give up on true love forever, or am I going to listen to my heart and marry him?

About the Author:

Jillian is the author of the That Boy series and The Keatyn Chronicles. She grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She lives in Texas with her family.

Author social media links:

https://www.facebook.com/JillianDodd1

https://twitter.com/JillianDodd

http://pinterest.com/jilliandodd/ 

Giveaway:

Giveaway: (1) eBook copy of STALK ME (Keatyn Chronicles, #1), KISS ME (Keatyn Chronicles, #2), THAT BOY (Volume 1), or THAT WEDDING (That Boy, #2). Open International. Books will be gifted from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. 

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Dark Return Blog Tour: Character Bios & Giveaway

 

Dark Return (Seeker #2)

Author: Taryn Browning

Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal

Release Date: November 2012 

Description:

Janie Grey is dedicated to hunting the undead, an inherited duty passed down from her Cherokee ancestors and generations of powerful Seekers before her. Then, there's Kai. He's like no one she's ever met - cocky, fast, skillful, infuriating and gorgeous. Not only has he become a valuable asset in her fight against the growing population of the vampire/demon hybrid known as Daychildren...

She's unwittingly fallen for him.

Just when Janie thinks she's learned everything there is to know about Kai's mysterious past, there's a newcomer to Baltimore. Someone who will do anything to make sure Janie loses Kai forever.

Darkness returns in Fall, 2012...   

Character Bios 

Janie Grey
Experienced Seeker in Baltimore, who quickly learns that the training lessons she’s always followed don’t always apply. Especially when she meets Kai.





















Kai Sterdam
“Daychild” or not! (I don’t want to spoil the story by revealing too much). Kai is an experienced fighter who has golden-blonde hair with white highlights, bright green eyes, and scars on his forearms and chest - all markings from his tortured past. Kai is sarcastic and cocky, but loyal to those he cares for.

















Matt Baker
Star high school wrestler who inadvertently finds himself caught in the middle of a war between the undead. 













Leah
A newcomer, and dark presence from Kai's past. One of the first Daychildren created by
the vampire king.



















Abram Mitchell
Abram is a former Seeker and Janie’s mentor. Read about Abram’s life as a Seeker in the prequel short story, Dark Beauty. 

















 
Isabelle Grey
Former Seeker and Janie’s mom. Read about Isabelle’s time as a Seeker in the prequel short story, Dark Beauty.

Tanya
Vampire leader who becomes an asset in Janie's fight against Daychildren. 





















 
Albania
Witch and friend of Kai’s. She is also instrumental in the fight against Daychildren. 

Ava
Janie’s best friend and one of the only people who know she’s a Seeker.

Taryn Browning writes novels for young adults. She's also an avid reader and dreamer with a crazy imagination. Her debut urban fantasy is Dark Seeker. The sequel, Dark Return, will be available Nov, 2012. You can also check out the prequel novella, Dark Beauty. Her newest paranormal romance, Whispering Hills, and urban fantasy, Emanare, were also released this year.

Taryn graduated with a BS in Education from Towson University and went on to earn a MS in Reading from Hood College. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, music, movies, and the beach. Some of her favorite TV shows growing up included Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed and Angel. For as long as she can remember she's loved all things fantastical, paranormal and magical.

Visit her at www.tarynbrowning.com. Follow her on her blog www.yafictionauthor.blogspot.com, on Twitter (@TarynBrowning), and Facebook (Dark Seeker & Taryn Browning).

Giveaway: (1) ebook copy of Dark Return - Open Internationally!

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Tour-Wide Giveaway:

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Review: The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

The Dead and Buried
Author: Kim Harrington
Genre: YA Paranormal Thriller
Release Date: January 1, 2013
Publisher: Scholastic
Source: ARC from publisher

Description:

A haunted house, a buried mystery, and a very angry ghost make this one unforgettable thriller.

Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?   

Review:

The Dead and Buried is a great old-fashioned ghost story set in modern times. Jade has always wanted to move to a bigger city with a bigger house, and now she's finally gotten her wish. The only drawback is that Jade has to start at a new high school, which she doesn't even mind. There are whispers behind Jade's back at school and she starts to wonder what everyone is talking about. Then she discovers that her little brother can see a shimmering girl in his room - one that nobody else can see. Strange things begin to happen in the house. Jade finally discovers the secret that no one wants to talk about - a girl her age died in the house only months earlier. Is Jade's new house haunted? It seems that the angry ghost of the girl who died is now haunted Jade's house - and threatening to hurt her little brother - if Jade doesn't help figure out who killed her. Will Jade be able to solve the girl's murder before it's too late? Will she be able to find a murderer among her classmates?

I absolutely love a good ghost story and this book certainly did not disappoint. There is everything creepy that a good paranormal novel needs - a haunted house, a dead teenage girl, a ghost, murder, and possessions. Aside from being a ghost story, the book is also a fast paced mystery/thriller where Jade must uncover what really happened to the girl who died and who it was that killed her. The writing was incredibly well done and I was completely absorbed in the story from the first page. I literally could not put this down! I started reading it one night when I couldn't sleep and ended up powering through it and finishing around 6 am. It was so worth it though! The characters are realistic and easy to identify with - especially Jade, who I immediately liked. Of course there was a mysterious and gorgeous guy in the book - who just also happens to be heart-broken and suspected of murder. But I still adored him and the relationship between him and Jade was perfectly done. There was tons of action, adventure, twists and turns, and mystery throughout the story - which definitely kept me on my toes and guessing most of the time. The ending was a great twist - one that I didn't see coming until really close to the end. Overall, I totally loved this book. It was a fantastic page turner and a definite must read for fans of creepy ghost stories.

     

Review: Renegade by J.A. Souders

Renegade (The Elysium Chronicles #1)
Author: J.A. Souders
Genre: YA Fantasy/Dystopian
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Publisher: Tor Teen
Source: Finished Copy from Publisher

Description:

Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes, all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.

But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie.

Her memories have been altered.

Her mind and body aren’t under her own control.

And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.

Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb... and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all.   

Review:

Renegade is the first novel in a YA dystopian series that takes place in an underwater utopia called Elysium. The main character of the story - Evelyn Winters - is known as the Daughter of the People - a very high position in her world. She was selected from an early age because of her unique genetic makeup. For her entire life, she has heard stories of the horrors that are happening on the Surface and why they are better off underwater in Elysium.  Evelyn never doubts her life until a Surface Dweller named Gavin gain entry into her world and turns everything she thought she knew and believed upside down. Evelyn learns that everything she's ever known has been a lie and that her "Mother" has been brainwashing her and erasing her memories. Will Gavin and Evelyn be able to escape in time or will Mother destroy them all?

This novel is a fantastic start to a very promising dystopian series. The underwater world that the author creates is intriguing and I loved learning about its history and the history of the world before Elysium was made. The characters were all very easy to like and realistic - and I immediately felt a connection with Evelyn. I found myself rooting for her from the start. The romance between Evelyn and Gavin was interesting and added a different layer to the story, but didn't overshadow the main plot - which I liked. The plot itself was very well written and fast paced, which made it impossible for me to put down until I had finished it. The story was very interesting and a page turner throughout, but really picked up in the last third of the book. That's when I felt that things really got thrilling and there was a ton of great aspects that I hope will get more attention in the upcoming installments. Even though this was a dystopian, there were definitely elements from several other genres incorporated into the book - tons of action, adventure, romance, and mystery - that only served to create an even more enthralling novel. I loved this book and am eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

   

Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

The Pledge (The Pledge #1)
Author: Kimberly Derting
Genre: YA Dystopian
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Source: Bought 

Description:

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.  

Review:

The Pledge is the first book in a YA dystopian series that follows the main character and heroine - Charlie - as she discovers secrets her family has kept hidden for years. While the threat of war presses down on her country of Ludania, the queen is desperately seeking to find a hidden female heir who will take her place on the throne. On top of all that Charlie is facing in her life, she meets the mysterious and handsome Max at a club one night. Charlie is unsure of her feelings for Max and doesn't know if he can be trusted. He's definitely hiding things from her, and Charlie has secrets of her own that nobody can ever find out.

This book had me hooked from the first sentence and didn't let go until I finished. The world building of the dystopian society is very detailed and in depth, which I found unique and very interesting. I enjoyed reading the descriptions of the city, the country, and the history of all that had happened beforehand. It immediately sucked me into the setting and the story. The characters were all very well done and interesting. They were easy to relate to and I found myself rooting for Charlie early on in the book. Charlie is a strong character from the beginning, but we really get to see her grow and mature throughout the story. I loved the romance and tension between Charlie and Max. It wasn't overdone or corny - which is a huge plus for me - and I was definitely rooting for them to get together. The plot itself was original and highly intriguing. The dystopian setting made it seem all the more realistic, even when dealing with the magic of the queen and the Essence. The narrative was very well written and fast paced, which made it impossible for me to put down. Overall, this was a fantastic and enchanting book and I absolutely can't wait to continue the series to see what will happen next.

  

Be sure to check back on January 2nd for my review of The Essence and my stop on the tour!

I Choose You Promo Event & Giveaway

I Choose You (Friends & Lovers #2)
Author: Bethany Lopez
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Release Date: December 27, 2012
Event Organized by AToMR Tours

Buy Links:   Amazon    Barnes & Noble

Description:

Up until now, Nicole's life has been mapped out for her. She'd go to college, marry Jake and become the upstanding minister's wife. When she leaves that life to begin again in a small town in Texas, she finally has the freedom to live as she chooses. There, she meets Kent, a guy whose charm and passion make it hard to stick to her morals. 

Dodging his father’s fists and protecting his twin sister made Kent into the man he is today. He learned by watching his mother stay by his father’s side that it’s better to keep relationships simple. Then he meets Nicole. Her sweet smile and genuine response to him land like punches to his resolve. After a lifetime of learning to protect his heart, can he finally let down his guard? 

Watch the Book Trailer:

 

They hit the trail hard. Nicole used the time to clear her head and to reflect on what Kent had told her about his childhood.
They’d led very different lives, and Nicole couldn’t imagine the obstacles he’d dealt with growing up, but she was very impressed with the man he was today.
Kent made sure they did some cool down stretches before getting back in the car.
He’d worried briefly that Nicole would look at him differently when he’d told her a little about his upbringing, but he was happy that he had. He wasn’t ready to tell her everything yet, but he was comfortable with what he’d told her.
He drove her back to her apartment and walked her to the door.
“Do you want to come in?” Nicole asked him, her face was flush from exertion and glistened prettily.
Kent felt a strong urge to gather her in his arms and take her to her room, kissing and stroking her gloriously toned body along the way. He imagined carrying her into the shower and lathering her up.
He shook his head, trying in vain to calm his raging hormones. He felt like a teenager again: unbearably horny and unable to find release. Well… At least not the way he wanted to.
“Um, no,” He replied gruffly. “I’d better not. You have to get ready for work and I have some stuff to do at my house. I’ll give you a call later.”
He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the forehead, then turned and jogged down the stairs, leaving her there staring off after him, the confusion she felt apparent on her face. 

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult novel. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her contemporary Young Adult series, Stories About Melissa. Ta Ta for Now!, xoxoxo, and Ciao are available now. Bethany is currently working on a Contemporary Fantasy YA and a Contemporary New Adult Trilogy.

Author Links:

IAN

Webpage

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Giveaway: (1) eBook copy of I Choose You - Open Internationally!

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Cover Reveal: Beauty From Pain by Georgia Cates

 

Beauty From Pain

Author: Georgia Cates

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Expected Release Date: January 31, 2013

Cover Designer: Georgia Cates

Cover Reveal Organized by AToMR Tours

   

Description:

They agreed on three months...but their love knew no boundaries.


Jack McLachlan is a winemaking magnate and easily one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors. His success and wealth makes him no stranger to the complications of romantic relationships and that’s why he goes to extreme measures to avoid the hassle. He prefers simplicity in the form of a beautiful female companion with no strings attached. He arranges relationships like business deals and they’re always the same. No long term relationships. No real names.


It’s his game and his rules. He’s content to play as usual, but when Laurelyn Prescott enters his life, his strategy must change because this player is like none he's ever encountered. His world is turned on its head after he begins a three month affair with the beautiful American musician. Nothing goes according to plan and as he breaks more and more of his own rules for her, she’s exceptionally close to becoming something he never thought possible. His ultimate game changer.

About the Author:

Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.


When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her iPod and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it. 

Georgia Cates | Facebook | Twitter

What do you think of the cover? Leave a comment!

 

Holiday eBook Sale & $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

The Post-Christmas Holiday Book Sale, hosted by the Indie Book Festival, will kick off on December 28 and run through December 31. All books will be .99!! The Indie Book Festival will be posting the participating books to their Facebook page as well. The Indie Book Festival website is the premier online website for seasonal ebook sales events! From Halloween to Valentine's Day – we'll celebrate it by bringing you bestselling books by today’s hottest Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal and Young Adult indie authors. 

Indie Book Festival | Facebook | Twitter

You can also enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card now! 

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Cover Reveal: Date Me, Love Me, and Hate Me by Jillian Dodd

Jillian Dodd is revealing the next three covers in her Mature Young Adult romance series, The Keatyn Chronicles. The covers were designed by Okay Creations.

DATE ME (Keatyn Chronicles, #3)

Expected released date: April 2013

LOVE ME (Keatyn Chronicles, #4)

Expected release date: September 2013

HATE ME (Keatyn Chronicles, #5)

Expected release date: January 2014

About the Author: 

Jillian Dodd grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She has drank from a keg in a cornfield, attended the University of Nebraska, got to pass her candle, and did have a boy ask her to marry him in a bar. She met her own prince in college, and they have two amazing children, a Maltese named Sugar Bear, and two Labrador puppies named Camber Lacy and Cali Lucy.


She is the author of the That Boy Trilogy and The Keatyn Chronicles Series.

Jillian Dodd | Facebook | Twitter

What do you think of the covers? Leave a comment!