Risen Blog Tour: Review, Excerpt + Giveaway

Risen (Blood Eternal #1)
Author: Cole Gibsen
Genre: YA Paranormal 
Release Date: March 27, 2018
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Description:

Fans of Vampire Diaries and Twilight will be thirsting for this latest vampire addiction… 
My aunt has been kidnapped by vampires, and it’s up to me to save her. Only…I had no idea vampires existed. None. Nada. I’m more of a reader than a fighter, and even though I’d been wishing to escape my boring existence in the middle of nowhere, I’d give anything to have it back now if it meant my aunt was safe.

Then there’s the vampire Sebastian, who seems slightly nicer than most of the bloodsuckers I’ve run into so far. Yes, he’s the hottest being I’ve ever come across, but there’s no way I can trust him. He swears he’s helping me get answers, but there’s more to his story. Now I’m a key pawn in a raging vampire war, and I need to pick the right ally.

But my chances of surviving this war are slim at best, when the side I choose might be the one that wants me dead the most.

“Don’t say it like that, Charlie. I wanted to protect you.” She tugs on the edge of my cardigan, pulling me toward her. “I love you. You’re the most important thing in my life, do you understand?”

There’s a desperation in her eyes that tightens my throat. Swallowing hard, I nod.

She lets go of me with a sigh. “Maybe I took it too far.” She sweeps her dreadlocks over her shoulder and twists them tightly. “All I’ve ever wanted was to keep you safe.”

Safe. The world spirals, cold and slippery, down my spine. “What are you so afraid of?”

She opens her mouth only to shut it again.

Jax growls.

We turn as he claws at the door.

“The only thing there is to be afraid of,” she whispers. “The monsters.”

Risen is a new young adult paranormal novel full of warring vampire clans, family secrets, and (obviously) romance. The description says that it's perfect for fans of Twilight, and I definitely agree. I personally loved the Twilight series and I really enjoyed this book. They do have quite a few things in common in an overall sense, but the author wove in some new aspects to give the vampire/human romance a breath of fresh air. Some readers might find it too similar to others novels out there, but I personally like this type of story and I know a lot of other readers will feel the same way.

I liked Charlie - the main character - a lot and really enjoyed getting to know her throughout the book. The author wrote the story in the first person point of view, from Charlie's perspective, so the reader gets a personal connection with her right from the beginning. I personally love the first person because of how well we get to know the narrator, and this was no different. I liked knowing her hopes and dreams, fears, memories, insecurities, and everything in between. She was realistic and easy to identify with - complete with flaws and positive traits like loyalty to those she loves, determination, strength she doesn't know she has, and so many others. I obviously really liked watching the romance between her and Sebastian unfold, although it kind of felt like it happened really quick. Almost like it didn't have time to realistically happen. That's just my opinion though. I was obviously rooting for them the entire time and cheering them on. This is rumored to be the first in a series, and I really hope it is. I'd love to get to know Charlie, Sebastian, and some of the secondary characters better and also to see where the author would take us next. I definitely recommend this one for fans of YA paranormal, fantasy, vampire fiction, romance, and as mentioned above - fans of the Twilight series.

Growing up, Cole Gibsen couldn’t decide what she loved more—dogs or books. Rather than choose, she decided to devote her life to both! Dog trainer (wrangler) by day and author by night, she’s the author of more than ten books with more on the way. 

Author Links:
Website: www.ColeGibsen.com
Twitter: Twitter.com/colegibsen
Facebook: Facebook.com/colegibsen
Goodreads: goodreads.com/colegibsen 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colegibsen/

Buy Link: https://entangledpublishing.com/risen.html

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Written on My Heart Blog Tour: Playlist + Excerpt

Welcome to my stop on the Written on My Heart blog tour! Today I'll be sharing the author's playlist for the book - and don't forget to enter the giveaway! To follow the rest of the tour, click on the banner above.

Written on My Heart

Author: Cole Gibsen

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 28, 2015

Publisher: Entangled Embrace

Description:

It's been six months since Ashlyn Daniels was kicked out of her home. Six months since she stood up to her abusive stepfather and got a busted rib—and seeing all her things set ablaze in a backyard bonfire—for her trouble. Never going back. She doesn't need trouble...especially if trouble is tattoo artist Lane Garrett, who's six-feet-plus of tattooed hotness and a complete ass.

Lane has spent the last decade fighting to support his family. To protect them. There's no room for romance, even with a fragile (yet amusingly feisty) stunner...even if she somehow manages to invade his world and his heart.

But while some secrets are as visible as ink on the skin, others must remain hidden at all costs...  

 

Cole Gibsen first realized she different when, in high school, she was still reading comic books while the other girls were reading fashion magazines.

It was her love of superheroes that first inspired her to pick up a pen. Her favorite things to write about are ordinary girls who find themselves in extraordinary situations.

Author Links:

   

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books│iBooks

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Life Unaware Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway

Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Life Unaware blog tour! Today I have a great guest post by the author to share with you - and don't forget to enter the giveaway! To follow the rest of the tour, click on the banner above.

Life Unaware

Author: Cole Gibsen

Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction

Release Date: April 28, 2015 

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Description:

Regan Flay has been talking about you.

Regan Flay is on the cusp of achieving her control-freak mother's "plan" for high school success―cheerleading, student council, the Honor Society—until her life gets turned horribly, horribly upside down. Every bitchy text. Every bitchy email. Every lie, manipulation, and insult she's ever said have been printed out and taped to all the lockers in school.

Now Regan has gone from popular princess to total pariah.

The only person who even speaks to her is her former best friend's hot but socially miscreant brother, Nolan Letner. Nolan thinks he knows what Regan's going through, but what nobody knows is that Regan isn't really Little Miss Perfect. In fact, she's barely holding it together under her mom's pressure. But the consequences of Regan's fall from grace are only just beginning. Once the chain reaction starts, no one will remain untouched...

Especially Regan Flay. 

My Struggle With Anxiety
 
I knew writing a book about bullying would have its challenges. What I didn’t expect was the effect writing a character with an anxiety disorder would have on me.
 
Detailing Regan’s—the main character’s—panic attacks in the book forced me to relive my own. Like Regan, I suffer from anxiety. Last year, when I was at my worst, I would have up to four crippling panic attacks a day. Many times throughout the day I found myself unable to breathe, convinced I was suffering from a heart attack. I was in hell.
 
At first I tried to convince myself I could handle it—that they would go away on their own. But when my anxiety became too great, and I was afraid to leave the house, I knew I needed to get help.
 
Making that first phone call to the therapist was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I felt weak for not being able to handle my issues on my own. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. It takes strength to admit you need help, even more so to take that first step to get it.
 
When it comes to anxiety, I know I’m not alone. With help from my therapist I’ve made massive strides. My panic attacks have decreased from several a day to maybe one a month. If you suffer from panic attacks, you should definitely make that phone call to get the help you deserve. I am in no way a therapist or qualified to give any advice on mental illness.
 
With that said, here are some things I’ve discovered that work well for me when it comes to reducing my anxiety when I feel a panic attack coming on:
 
1. Coloring. It sounds silly, and I felt ridiculous at first. But there’s something so soothing about opening a box of crayons, sitting down at a table, and losing myself in a coloring
book.
 
2. Reciting the alphabet backwards. Doing this forces me to stop thinking about my breathing and heartbeat. It distracts me from the swelling fear by having me concentrate
on something else. Usually by the time I get to “A” I feel a ton better.
 
3. Calling a friend. I’m so blessed to have so many good friends in my life who understand me and my anxiety. When I’m at my worst, I know I can call any one of them and they’ll
talk me off the ledge.
 
4. Threes. It’s this wonderful little addition game app I have installed on my phone and iPad. Whenever I start to feel on edge, I’ll open the app and play several games. When I’m finished I usually feel tons better.
 
These are just a few of things I’ve discovered to help me cope with my anxiety. But everyone is different. If you suffer from anxiety, what tips and tricks to you have for getting through a panic attack? 

Cole Gibsen first realized she different when, in high school, she was still reading comic books while the other girls were reading fashion magazines.

It was her love of superheroes that first inspired her to pick up a pen. Her favorite things to write about are ordinary girls who find themselves in extraordinary situations. 

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

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Release Day Blitz + Giveaway: Life Unaware by Cole Gibsen

Life Unaware

Author: Cole Gibsen

Release Date: April 28, 2015

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Book Summary:

Regan Flay has been talking about you. 

Regan Flay is on the cusp of achieving her control-freak mother's "plan" for high school success―cheerleading, student council, the Honor Society—until her life gets turned horribly, horribly upside down. Every bitchy text. Every bitchy email. Every lie, manipulation, and insult she's ever said have been printed out and taped to all the lockers in school. 

Now Regan has gone from popular princess to total pariah. 

The only person who even speaks to her is her former best friend's hot but socially miscreant brother, Nolan Letner. Nolan thinks he knows what Regan's going through, but what nobody knows is that Regan isn't really Little Miss Perfect. In fact, she's barely holding it together under her mom's pressure. But the consequences of Regan's fall from grace are only just beginning. Once the chain reaction starts, no one will remain untouched... 

Especially Regan Flay.

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | B-A-M | IndieBound | Powells

Cole Gibsen first realized she different when, in high school, she was still reading comic books while the other girls were reading fashion magazines.

It was her love of superheroes that first inspired her to pick up a pen. Her favorite things to write about are ordinary girls who find themselves in extraordinary situations.

Author Links:

   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Book Blitz Organized by:

Cover Reveal: Life Unaware by Cole Gibsen

Life Unaware

Author: Cole Gibsen

Expected Release Date: April 28, 2015

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Book Summary:

Regan Flay has been talking about you. 

Regan Flay is on the cusp of achieving her control-freak mother's "plan" for high school success―cheerleading, student council, the Honor Society—until her life gets turned horribly, horribly upside down. Every bitchy text. Every bitchy email. Every lie, manipulation, and insult she's ever said have been printed out and taped to all the lockers in school. 

Now Regan has gone from popular princess to total pariah. 

The only person who even speaks to her is her former best friend's hot but socially miscreant brother, Nolan Letner. Nolan thinks he knows what Regan's going through, but what nobody knows is that Regan isn't really Little Miss Perfect. In fact, she's barely holding it together under her mom's pressure. But the consequences of Regan's fall from grace are only just beginning. Once the chain reaction starts, no one will remain untouched... 

Especially Regan Flay.

Cole Gibsen first realized she different when, in high school, she was still reading comic books while the other girls were reading fashion magazines.

It was her love of superheroes that first inspired her to pick up a pen. Her favorite things to write about are ordinary girls who find themselves in extraordinary situations.

Author Links:

   

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

Cover Reveal Organized by:

Cover Reveal: The Social Media Experiment by Cole Gibsen

The Social Media Experiment

Author: Cole Gibsen

Genre: YA Contemporary

Expected Release Date: September 2, 2014

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Description:

On the surface, seventeen-year-old Reagan Fray appears to have everything. She's popular, Ivy League–bound, and her parents are rich enough to buy her whatever she wants. Behind the scenes, Reagan is a girl with an anxiety disorder struggling to hold the fraying threads of her life together. It takes work to stay on top, and when that fails, Reagan's learned from her politician mother that a little social espionage never hurts. That is, until the day Reagan finds all of her texts and private messages printed out and taped to every locker in her high school.

Finding herself ostracized from her friends and on the receiving end of the bullying she used to dish out, Reagan won't settle into her new role as social pariah without a fight. Determined to get back in with her friends and reclaim her social status before her mother finds out and sends her to boarding school, Reagan has no choice but to team up with outcast Nolan Letner.

But the closer Reagan gets to Nolan, the more she realizes all of her actions have consequences, and her future might be the biggest casualty of all.  

At seventeen, Cole found herself homeless with only a beat-up Volkswagen Jetta and a bag of Goodwill clothing to her name. The only things that got her through the nights she spent parked in truck stops and cornfields were the stacks of books she checked out from the library along with her trusty flashlight. Because of the reprieve these books gave her from her troubles, Cole vowed to become a writer so she could provide the same escape to readers who needed a break the reality of their own lives.

Author Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/colegibsen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cole.gibsen

Tumblr: http://colegibsen.tumblr.com/

Website: www.colegibsen.com 

Book Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

 

  

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