Finding Me Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway

Finding Me

Author: Kelly Gunderman

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 30, 2019 

Publisher: Swoon Romance

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Synopsis:

Can you ever truly love someone who robbed you of everything?

Sixteen-year-old Claire Williams spends most of her days feeling angry and alone. After a car accident took her mother and Claire’s ability to walk, life in a wheelchair is the new normal.
 

When she’s sent to live with her grandmother, away from school and friends, Claire has a chance for a fresh start. Just when Claire thinks she can handle things, she runs into Todd - the son of the man who caused the car accident.

At first, Claire wants nothing to do with him, but the more time they spend together, the more she hates to admit her feelings. She’s slowly falling in love with Todd.

Now, Claire’s father wants to move and take Claire with him. But she can’t go. Not now when everything is falling into place, and she’s just now finding herself. Claire’s defiant. She won’t leave Greenwood, her new friends, her grandmother, or Todd.

Can Claire find the strength to let her dad go on with his life while leaving her behind to live hers, or will she allow the guilt and shame of surviving the accident pull her back under? 

Claire’s Letter to her Mother

When I was writing Finding Me, I thought about including an epilogue in the form of Claire writing a letter to her mother. The purpose of the letter was going to be for Claire to talk to her mom about the things that were going on in her life, the changes that she’s made, and the fact that she was able to search within her heart to forgive others who hurt her, as her mother would have wanted her to. I didn’t actually end up including this letter in the book, but I did write it, so I thought I would share it with you.

Dear Mom,

It’s been over two years since the accident; two years since you left me. At first, I was feeling bitter toward everyone, including you. I felt like you abandoned me. Everything changed for me, and I needed you more than ever. But you were gone, and I was alone. While it hurt a lot when dad started being away all the time, I felt so numb that it barely even registered to me.

Mom, I miss you. So much has changed. I’ve changed. I’m not the same girl I used to be, back before the accident. I don’t live in the same place. I don’t have the same friends. I don’t even go to the same school. Everything is different.

Grandma told me that writing a letter to you would help me sort through my grief. I told her there’s no way that could accomplish anything, but she has been right about things before, so I try to listen to her.

I started dating Todd. You never got to meet Todd, of course, but I did on my first day of school in Greenwood. At first, I couldn’t believe it. I had never come face to face with him or his dad. I didn’t know how to act, so I had a panic attack and got out of the school as quickly as I could. That’s when I met Lisa. Lisa was there for me through every dip on the emotional rollercoaster that had become my life.

But you know what? I took Grandma’s advice. I spent time with Todd. And mom, I fell in love with him. He’s perfect for me, and I can’t imagine life without him now. He’s been there for me through everything. And he’s learning how to forgive, too. He’s trying to forgive his dad – he’s even gone to the prison to see him. But it’s hard for him, too. And his mom. Their family suffered, too. I guess I was too selfish to realize it at the time, but now that I do, I feel for him.

I live with dad and his new wife. They’re having a daughter – she is due in about a month. She’s nicer than I thought, but I’ll never forgive dad for moving on so fast. I mean, I’m trying, but it’s hard. Grandma lives with us, too. I refused to move without her.

I wish I could go back in time and have a few more minutes with you, mom. There is so much I would love to tell you, so much I think you would want to know. I wish I could hear you laugh again. I wish we could go to Starbucks for coffee before school, just one more time.

I’ll never forget you, mom. You will always be my first friend, my best friend. You will always crop up in my thoughts, every hour of the day. Grandma tells me stories about you all the time and she talks about how important it is to keep your memory alive. I’ll definitely keep telling those stories, so you can live forever – even if it’s only in my heart.

I love you.

Love,
Claire

Kelly Gunderman

Kelly Gunderman was born a child of the late eighties in small-town Pennsylvania. A bibliophile in her own right, she is hoping to one day surpass the number of pages she has turned with those she has written of her own accord.

Having recently completed her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Development, Kelly suddenly found herself with a bit more free time than usual, and began her immediately successful foray into blogging and Freelance Writing, which subsequently led to her renewed desire to finally put her ideas and imaginings “on paper.”

Focusing primarily on the Young Adult genre, Kelly has recently finished and her first novel, Finding Me, which is set to be published in early 2019 by Swoon Romance.

She currently resides in her original home town with her husband, their two daughters, and a few cats that constantly challenge the sanity of all with their ill-advised attempts at what can only be assumed to be world domination.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.kellygunderman.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kagunderman

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/kellygunderman

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kagunderman

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kagunderman 

A coffee mug, tea, and a $10 Amazon gift card from Kelly Gunderman (USA only)

Starts: 9/19/19

Ends: 9/28/19

 

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You, Me, & Letting Go Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway

YOU, ME, & LETTING GO

Author: Katie Kaleski 

Publication Date: May 14, 2019 

Publisher: Swoon Romance

Description:

Van Sato’s got labels. Tourettes, ADHD, SPD – words that have defined his existence since the time he was old enough to know what they meant. Now, Van wants to prove he’s more than an acronym, a syndrome, a problem kid. He takes a summer job as a day camp counselor to prove he’s capable of independence and moving on to the next phase in his life. Maybe, he might even make a friend while there. Someone who’s got just as many or even more labels than him. Someone who understands what it’s like. 

Tabby Dubanowksi wants to forget about everything, the hospitalization, the judgment, the whispers behind her back. As a camp counselor, she will be admired, looked up to, and able to help people who don’t know anything about her old life. Tabby wants a fresh start and a chance to re-ignite her passion for film-making, if only for one summer. 

After running away from their pasts, Van and Tabby collide in a storm cloud of attraction laced with self-doubt, insecurity, shame, and blame. Now, with Van feeling like he might have to quit his job, and Tabby struggling to quell the urge to cut, they will struggle to find themselves in a world designed to keep them apart.

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Cover Love (Why you love the cover)

I can go on forever about the cover for You, Me, & Letting Go! because I love it so darn much. Overall, it’s adorable and eye catching, and I love the colors (teal is the color for Tourette awareness). I can tell careful consideration was put into making this cover because it represents my story and characters so well. I love having Van and Tabby both on the cover, and they are pretty much exactly how I imagined them. Any stock photo of random teenagers could’ve been used to toss on the cover, but the designer (Melissa Liban) made sure to find the perfect two that fit. And the background is awesome because it’s partial instructions on how to create something in the book. If this wasn’t my book and I saw the cover, I’m quite certain it’d draw me in and ask me to read it.

Katie Kaleski has started down many career paths and held many jobs—indie craft store clerk, pizza maker, photo developer, shoe salesperson and cashier, dental assistant in the army, daycare teacher, student teacher—but her favorite one by far is being a writer. 

She’s originally from Chicago, so she says things like pop, gym shoes, and front room. Her favorite food group is sugar, and she loves writing young adult novels. 

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Lead The Way Blog Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway

 

Lead The Way
Author: Brittany Carter
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: April 22, 2019
Publisher: Swoon Romance


Description:

Fresh off the high of college graduation, Melody James is back in her Podunk town. She needs a job, but first, she’ll spend a lazy summer with no agenda at all.

But life’s got other plans for Melody, ones she’d sooner ignore. When the next-door neighbor passes away, his son returns home to take care of his affairs. Thane Cohen hasn’t been home in ten years. The last time he was, someone accused him of murdering Melody’s parents. Now, after major efforts to recover his self-worth and start a construction company, Thane wonders if enough time has passed for him to clear his once good name.

At the time of the murders, Melody was the only person who didn’t believe Thane was responsible. But how could she even suggest otherwise when just about everyone in town was convinced of Thane’s guilt? Her brothers would never allow it. With nothing to lose before, Thane packed up and left, leaving the town and Melody behind. Now that he’s back, rekindling an old flame in Melody and proving his innocence are critical.

When several car windshields get broken and fires start unexpectedly, the world inside their little town is tossed upside down. With Melody’s brother against her, and Thane fighting every attempt she makes at breaking down his walls, Melody’s push for answers leads her to a frightening conclusion. Thane may actually know more about her parents’ death than she was lead to believe. Can she trust him, or has everyone else been right about him all along? Only time will tell if she can let love lead the way.
—
*Author previously wrote under the name, Alla Kar

Goodreads / Amazon

One side of his mouth curled for a nanosecond. “You need to leave. Your brothers are gonna catch you.”

She placed the carrots in her hand on the table behind him. “You’re not scared of my brothers.”

“I’m not. But they’ll tan your hide if you get caught over here.”

She shrugged. “I’m not scared of my brothers either.”

His gaze dropped to her lips, and her heart began to patter. Thoughts drifted from her head, taking away her ability to speak. She leaned forward; one palm rested against his wide chest. Suddenly, he shifted, grabbed her waist, and placed her on the table behind them. With one hand on either side of her hips, he leaned forward. He smelled woodsy, like rain, earth, and man. It intoxicated her brain, filling her body with raging feelings. Feelings she’d never had before. Not once had Lucas ever made her feel so alive without touching her.

Her mouth watered as he neared, his lips only a hairbreadth away from her own, the minty smell of his mouth had her head gone. His unruly hair was messy from the rain, and she reached up with her other hand to run her fingers through it.

He caught her wrist; his thumb ran three slow circles around her pulse. Kiss me … please. She had no idea why her body betrayed her so easily. The tip of his tongue ran across his bottom lip. Melody couldn’t look away from it, even when he took his other thumb and ran it across her bottom lip. The tension weighed heavily down on her chest, begging for a release.

Just one kiss would cure her, right?

A deep grunt left his throat, and she just knew he’d kiss her. She knew he would lean down and put her out of her misery. Only one more inch and …

“Go home,” he whispered against her mouth.

Her heart sank with embarrassment. Rejection clogged her throat. She wanted to crawl into the dirt and die. Turning her head, she looked down at the shed floor. She was stupid for going over.

Melody jumped down from the table, stopping at the door. “I know you didn’t do it,” she whispered. Thane leaned over the table again, palms flat against the wood, his eyes fixated on her. “You don’t know anything, Melody.”

Brittany Booker Carter previously writing as Alla Kar. I'm a Christian, lover or romance, a wife and mother to a wild-child!

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Book Blitz + Giveaway: Right Girl, Wrong Timing by Natalie Decker

 

Right Girl, Wrong Timing (Offsides #3)
Author: Natalie Decker
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: March 12, 2019
Publisher: Swoon Romance

Description:

Adaline Frost’s life officially sucks. Now that her BFF has found her true love, Addy is constantly stuck being the third wheel. On top of that, she hasn’t started her junior project yet, so her advisor pairs her up with what could only be described as the “Reject Breakfast Club.” Instead of the weirdo and the troublemaker, Addy is forced to work with two stoners, a popular girl, and her crush, Austin Reed, the jock who broke her heart.

Austin Reed is sick of being labeled “dumb jock.” If he doesn’t get an A on this project, he can kiss his future goodbye. Austin thought he’d gotten lucky being partners with the very nerdy Adaline Frost, but boy was he wrong. Addy jumps down his throat about his being late and calls him names like “manwhore” on the daily. She has no idea Austin works before and after school in order to help his mom with the bills. Yeah, he’s made mistakes and has had lots of girlfriends, but he doesn’t need Adaline Frost to remind him of it every time he sees her.

Can Austin and Addy ever be a thing?

Right Girl Wrong Timing is book 3 in the Offsides series by Natalie Decker.

Goodreads / Amazon

I’m about to go forward and talk to her, but I divert from that plan as soon as I see Greg stepping up next to her. He’s blocking her from my view with his douchiness.

She said they weren’t dating at the dance. That was weeks ago, so why the hell is he still hanging around her? Why are his fingers clasping wisps of her hair? He shouldn’t be touching her.

This feeling is not sitting right with me at all. Fact is, I’ve never been jealous. Have I been a little envious of the people who go here recently? Maybe. I mean, a few months ago I used to be just like them. New clothes, shoes, going to parties, not having a care in the world. Then my mom lost her awesome job at the hospital due to cuts, Dad left, and shit just went downhill. Now, I have to make sure my mom and I don’t get kicked out of the dump we live in or have anything shut off because of the lack of funds. I’ve never been jealous of a guy dating a girl I was interested in, though. Until Adaline, and I swear this is going to be a problem. It’s already cost me my childhood home. I can’t afford to lose any more.

My fingernails dig into my palm as my hands ball into fists at my sides while I watch Adaline tip back her head and laugh. I need to get a grip. I’m losing it. This shouldn’t bother me. In fact, I shouldn’t even give a shit that they’re hanging out. Adaline and I can’t be anything.

Natalie Decker is the author of RIVAL LOVE series and the Scandalous Boys series. She loves oceans, sunsets, sand between her toes, and carefree days. Her imagination is always going, which some find odd. But she believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times. Her first passion for writing started at age twelve when she had to write a poem for English class. However, seventh grade wasn't her favorite time and books were her source of comfort. She took all college prep classes in High school, and attended the University of Akron. Although she studied Mathematics she never lost her passion for writing or her comfort in books. She's a mean cook in the kitchen, loves her family and friends and her awesome dog infinity times infinity. If she's not writing, reading, traveling, hanging out with her family and friends, then she's off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in a saying: Your life is your own journey, so make it amazing!

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The Boyfriend Whisperer 2.0 Blog Tour: Author Guest Post + Giveaway

The Boyfriend Whisperer 2.0

Author: Linda Budzinski 

Publication Date: February 19, 2019 

Publisher: Swoon Romance 

Description:

Alicea Springer was Boyfriend Whisperer Enterprises’ top success story. That is, until her dream date, Ty Walker, dumped her a week before prom. Now it’s senior year, and Alicea has taken over the business and given it an upgrade using an automated matchmaking program designed to help her classmates find their perfect match.    

Alicea has no interest in using the program herself. She already knows who her perfect match is … Ty. She doesn’t need an app to tell her that (or worse, match her up with someone else). In a moment of weakness, Alicea allows her friends to convince her to give the program a try. To her horror, it matches her with the last boy on earth she'd ever want to date — Darius Groves, the class deadbeat.    

When she and Darius are paired up for a class project, Alicea learns there's more to him than his bad reputation. But the more she spends time with Darius, the more she questions their match. They have so little in common. Why did her program match them?    

Can Alicea defy the odds and make a match of her own heart’s desire? Or will the matchmaker remained unmatched?  

BAM | Indies | Amazon | B&N | TBD

 

 Cover Love (Why you love the cover)

I love everything about The Boyfriend Whisperer covers. They’re super eye-catching. They’re bright, colorful, playful, and they scream “YA Romance.” When I first saw the cover for The Boyfriend Whisperer 2.0, I felt it was perfect. It looks great next to the first book, like a true set. The best part is, I get lots of compliments on the covers (not that I have anything to do with them!), so I know readers are feeling the cover love, too!

Linda Budzinski is the author of four young adult novels, all published by Swoon Romance YA: The Boyfriend Whisperer and The Boyfriend Whisperer 2.0, Em & Em, and The Funeral Singer. When she’s not writing, she works in nonprofit communications and outreach. She lives in Northern Virginia with my husband, Joe, and is active with her church’s youth group. She’s a sucker for romance and reality TV and has been known to turn off her phone’s ringer when watching “The Bachelor.” Her favorite flower is the daisy, her favorite food is chocolate, and her favorite song is “Amazing Grace.” 

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