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Thursday, February 28, 2013

Innovera Yakob Release Day Blitz

YANR_BlogTour_IV_RDB


 Title: Innovera Yakov By: Kia Garriques 

 Summary: Innovera Yakov is a beautiful world of crystals that turns under five moons and two brilliant suns that never set. Flitters take care of domestic chores while Starbirds and Starflies soar through the never-ending sunlight of this crystalline world. The Circle of Knowing decides their fate; the forbidden forests of the Dimmer Zone swallow trespassers. And at the very edges of Innovera Yakov there is the terrifying watery darkness of Verheer. We meet Ayana, the healer and lonely outcast with her scarred face; Vinton, her protector (or is he her imaginary friend?); Gamma and Blu Tara, the beautiful, fiery twins who can kill with one look. These twins are important characters in the book. They could hardly be more different from each other. Krave, beloved by Gamma, hated by Blu Tara, ‘tall and upright as a polished spear with a beautiful crop of golden hair that cascaded down his back in waves’; his ‘brother’ Skylar, pure trouble with ‘muscles on his arms and legs that stood out in lumps’; Ryder with his crystal spear, forever seeking Ayana’s approval although she, refusing to believe she's worth it, can only wonder, ‘What does he see in me?’ And Ice, mysterious, dangerous, murderous with eyes like bright furnaces who feeds on Innoverans. These young Innoverans are often haunted by a forgotten past recalled only in strange dreams. They form friendships, make enemies and face constant physical and emotional challenges that test them to their limits. They have amazing powers; they can fly, they can communicate through 'thought-words', their minds can travel to other worlds. They harbour secrets. But life is not easy on Innovera Yakov and the young Beings must live in constant fear of Blu Tara; ‘What I want, I have. What I can’t have, I destroy.’ They find that the great powers they are gifted with are nothing compared to the dangers they face. They must shelter from Solar-storms. To fall in love is dangerous. Lovers long to combine to become stronger, better Beings but it can go terribly wrong and when that happens they perish. Their survival is further threatened by Ice, who consumes Innoverans and holds both Blu Tara and Ayana in his control. Everyone seeks a partner with whom they can ‘merge.’ This desire to ease the passage through life by joining forces with a true companion, is one of the main themes of the story. Love for Blu Tara, is a terrible thing. She tells her sister, ‘It is a curse. You will scoop out your core and abandon it just to have the Being that you love... You will steal another person’s life force if it makes it easier to get it. You will kill or die for it. And you’ll hate yourself for the weakness that it brings on you.' They are told that they must embark on 'The Journey', this journey will be more terrifying than any of them could imagine and a strong leader must be elected from their midst. They are shocked to discover who that leader is, none more so than the chosen one herself. Many of them will perish as they make their way through the watery darkness of Verheer while battling the army of underworld warriors bent on destroying and consuming them. Finally, diminished in strength and numbers, they reach their journey’s end only to learn the final brutal truth.

innovera
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Excerpt
Blu Tara stared her sister in the face. ‘Let me tell you what you don't know about love, Gamma. It is a curse. You will scoop out your core and abandon it just to have the Being that you love. You will steal another person's life force if it makes it easier to get it. You will abandon the world you have been cradled in, betray everything and everyone you care for. You’ll give up your name for it.’ Blu Tara's voice went soft and dreamy. ‘You will gladly close your eyes and embrace the world of darkness. You will kill or die for it. And you will hate yourself for the weakness that it brings on you. So don’t talk to me about love.’ Gamma shook her head. ‘You're not making sense,’ Blu Tara. ‘You talk as if... I’m the one who should be upset about all this.’ Blu Tara lifted her hand dismissively. She pointed a hot finger at Gamma. ‘Anyway don’t forget what we are.’ 'And what are we?’ Gamma glared at her.. 'Different. Strange. Something to be frightened of. Two Beings that can fuse and burn everything to ashes. That's the way they all see us down there. That's what the Stardog wants from you - the powers you possess. ‘I hate them all. With their suspicious, shiny faces and their empty games. I hate that Voice which drones on and on at us in the Learning Dome as soon as we've finished resting. Innoverans! All those perfect, pretty Beings; they remember nothing — it’s the curse of this shallow, shining world. Tell me, Gamma - what do you remember of the world we come from before your Odors Apeno dumped us here?’ Gamma swung around to face her sister fully. ‘Blu Tara! What's got into you? Where’s all that coming from? I've never heard you speak like that before. This is about Krave and I- not you!’ Krave and you - don't make me laugh. And, oh! Here’s a big difference — between you and I this time, Twin Sister. It’s the answer to your question that you brought me up here to ask.’ Blu Tara mimicked Gamma's soft and musical voice, Why do you want to kill Krave? Here's the answer, Gamma. I will do whatever I have to do to save myself. I'm the half of you that's not like you. I don't have a weeping heart. Now I'm out of here. I need my Rest.
  Reviewers Wanted: Review Innovera Yakov on amazon for your chance to Win A Kindle Fire. Love reading and reviewing books? Want the chance to win a Kindle Fire? Kia Garriques’ Innovera Yakov fantasy series launches today on Amazon with The Journey of a Thousand Eyes. This story is an action-packed fantasy drama where characters with powers of healing and destruction live, love, compete and disappear without a trace while they are being prepared for the Journey. To celebrate the launch of ‘Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes’, Kia is giving away a Kindle Fire to one lucky winner, as well as the chance of having their work promoted by Kia herself across her website and social media. To enter the competition, simply follow these instructions below: 1.Write a short review on Amazon about your favourite scene from the book, who your favourite is and why, and what you think the main message of the book is 2.Then, send an email to competitions@kiagarriques.com including a link back to your review on Amazon, in order to be entered into the competition. Put the title ‘Innovera Yakov Kindle Competition’ in the subject line of the email. The winning entry will be the most creative and original response to the book and will be chosen by Kia Garriques herself. In addition, the top ten inspiring entries will have their work promoted in a blog which Kia is currently working on, called ‘Up and Coming Writers to Watch in 2013’. In recognition of their creativity, Kia will be turning the spotlight on these writers by presenting their biographies and a link to their current work. RULES: 1:This competition will run from the launch of ‘Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes’ on today and is open to entrants from any country 2: Anyone may enter, but entries are limited to one per person 3: The winner will be selected by Kia Garriques after the first 250 reviews have been received. Make sure to get your entry in early to stand the best possible chance of being entered into the competition and winning your very own Kindle. If you send your review of Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes before March 31st 2013, then you will be eligible to win a $20 amazon gift card. Be sure to send on your review via email to competitions@kiagarriques.com to claim this exclusive offer or leave a link to your amazon review in Kia’s Wattpad comment section. So, what are you waiting for? Get ‘Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes’ now and prepare to enter a whole new world of magic and mystery, danger and adventure. Click here to get the ebook on amazon now. Author Links Twitter Goodreads Facebook Tumblr Wattpad Pinterest Website Audio Link to listen to the first chapter of the book. Read the first chapter of the book here Author Bio Kia Garriques studied writing and English literature at University and has been a published short story writer since 2009. Her first story “The Invisible Alien Watcher” was published by Micro Horror in 2009 and reprinted by Pill Hill Press in 2011. Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes – is her first novel in the ‘Worlds’ series and will be out on amazon mid February. visit www.kiagarriques.com/books to read the first chapter. Book Blurb: Innovera Yakov – The Journey of A Thousand Eyes takes you into a world of excitement and danger where thoughts and feelings are overheard and minds can travel to other worlds. Be prepared to immerse yourself in a world where falling in love could cost you your life and nothing is as it seems. Innovera Yakov – The Journey of A Thousand Eyes is the first book in an action-packed fantasy drama series where characters with powers of healing and destruction live, love, compete and disappear without a trace while they are being prepared for the Journey.
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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

After Seven Years

I know this is random and I've already blogged once today but I just HAVE to share this!!! 

 Seven years ago I had this crazy idea for a story. And I knew it would be difficult to write. I knew it would take a long time. I knew that it had to be done right. And so for seven years I thought about it while working on other projects. I would write down ideas, and take notes. Let scenes play over and over again in my head and even occasionally tried to write scenes out. 

I finally finished my first novel. Wrote it, edited, submitted to a publisher. And the second it was gone all I could think about was "What do I write next?" 

It took a few weeks. But one day I just knew. I knew that this story, this book was meant to be put out. That I needed to write this one story that has been begging me to write it for seven years now. 

Today I am writing one of the most important chapters of that book. And I am already 15,000 words into the story. This moment, this day is so important to me. Because after seven years, one of my dreams is finally coming to life!
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Book Tour: Games of Fire ~ A Book Review

Book Name: Games of Fire Author: Airicka Phoenix Publisher: Airicka Phoenix Release date: Feb 14, 2013 Genre: Young Adult Thriller and mystery with a strong dose of romance. Warnings: Strong language and mild sexual content Formats: ebook & paperback





Sophie has enough problems in her life without Spencer turning her blood to fire, without
his eyes freezing and burning her, without his hatred of her. Since his migration into the house
next to hers, Sophia Valdez isn’t sure whether she wants to toss him under a bus or kiss that
smirking mouth of his. But even as the temperature rises around them, leaping flames of passion,
want and desire,everything either has ever known will be shattered by the lurking shadow
hounding their every step, wanting revenge.

Spencer Rowth moves to the sleepy town of River Port with his mother and twelve year old
sister, Suzy, to escape a deceitful father, an unfaithful girlfriend and a life crumbling much too
fast for him to grapple onto only to be smacked upside the head by the last thing he wanted
again. Sophie was everything he refused to want. Her temper, her wit, her laugh, her smile, the
way her entire body goes up in flames under his hands are things he would rather slam a lid on
and forget. Instead, he finds himself falling for the smart-mouth next door. But how long will he
have before the evil chasing them catches up? How long before the very thing he never wanted
becomes his only thread to sanity? And who is after them? What do they want and why do they
want Spencer and Sophie dead?


Excerpt

“I won’t bite,” he said, probably meaning it as a joke.

“Oh if only that were my only problem,” she sighed under her breath.

“What?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

She took his hand, slipping her icy fingers through his. The electric sparks tore a fiery path down
the length of her arms, nearly melting the ice beneath their feet. She shivered involuntarily and
felt his fingers flex.

“All right?” Had his voice always been so husky?

She dampened her lips. “Yeah…” The single word died in her throat as she was pulled towards
him. Her heart tripped. Her lungs stilled. The heat of his body rushed over her with the subtle
scent peppermint, leather, spices and smoke.

A soft mist blew around them. Raindrops glistened in his hair, shimmering under the pale glow
of the light post. His eyes were shadowed beneath wispy fringes, but the silver in them glinted
like pools of liquid mercury. Her breath caught. It must have made a sound because his fingers
tightened. His shaky exhale caressed her flushed face.

“This,” he whispered so quietly she almost didn't hear him. “Is why you are so bad for me.”


My Review: 
 Strong language and mild sexual content
Games of Fire isn't quite what I expected. But even so it still blew me away and made me fall in love with another great book! Airicka has a special way with words that just pulls you in!

My only complaint towards this book is perhaps a bit too much kissing. I would have loved to see a little more action for the story but overall still a great read!

Games of Fire will keep you guessing until the very end and once you get there, you won't want it to over!











Airicka Phoenix is the best-selling author of the Touch Series with short stories in
Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology and Midnight Surrender Anthology. When
she's not hammering away at the keyboard, she can be found banishing pirates or crawling
through the attic looking for lost treasure with her kids. She loves baking, gardening and reading.
She also likes to travel and take pictures of everything she comes across. When asked, Airicka
describes herself as a sarcastic basket case that has an unhealthy addiction to chocolate, old
movies and really bad jokes. She loves to laugh, make friends and write. If she could have one
wish granted, it would be to spend one day as a fly-on-the-wall inside Stephen King's mind.

If she could have two wishes granted, she would ask for a castle dedicated entirely to her
overwhelming collection of books.

For more about Airicka, also on how to win giveaways, read author interviews and reviews, visit
her website HERE!


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Monday, February 25, 2013

Rekindling your (writing) Drive! ~ Guest post with Kami McArthur

Today I am handing my blog over to Kami McArthur, a fantastic author and blogger! Please help me welcome her to the blog! 

 Kami McArthur is a writer, reader, occasionally an adventurer, and a Harry Potter scholar. She holds an English degree, works as an assistant for the New York Times Bestselling author David Farland, and is pursuing her own writing career. While she has published some short fiction and poetry, she is now working on a young adult fantasy novel. Her favorite food is sushi.
Kami, who is new to the blogging community, recently started her own blog where she plans to post writing tips, book reviews, adventure stories, and the occasional thought on life--with plenty of Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings, The Office references.
You can find Kami's blog HERE! 

And now, I give the rest of this post to Kami. 

-Rekindling Your Drive
(No, this isn't a romance post, but try not to be too disappointed. You might find something useful. )
Whatever you are pursuing in your life, you might hit a period where your pursuits just seem. . .blah. It happens to me. What I’m working on isn't that fun or exciting anymore. It’s becoming mundane and my motivation is ebbing.
Sometimes I just need a break. Other times my break only accomplishes pushing my goals back. When this happens, I know I’m losing my drive to continue on my path to success (and by the way, we all have paths that lead to success, so don’t feel as if your paths only lead to a dead ends and failures).
I've discovered some things that help me overcome these meh moments, and I wanted to share them in case they help others in the same situation. These can apply to any goal, but because I’m a writer, I’m going to refer to writing as an example. Also, if you have any techniques to add, please leave a comment and share it with the rest of us.

—Do Something You can Succeed at Quickly (Utilize Short-term Goals)
Fact: success tastes good. When my writing sessions feel blah, it’s usually because I haven’t tasted success for a long time. It’s not because I’m a bad writer or lazy, but because I’m working on a long work, or a long-term goal. Winning at a short-term goal increases confidence and rekindles drive. It feels good to completely finish something that I’m happy with. So, I might take a day off from my novel and write some poetry or short fiction and send it off to a literary magazine. If I get an acceptance letter, great! If not, hey, I’m still pleased with my poem, so great! I’ll send it somewhere else. Small successes can go a long way.

—Go Back to Your Roots
Take some time to reflect when and why you decided to pursue your goal. How did you feel? What were you thinking? Was there something that led you to make the decision? For me, I look back to when I realized I wanted to be a writer. As cliché as it sounds, I was in elementary school. I have a binder full of stories I wrote when I was a kid. When I’m feeling down about writing, I look through them. They help me keep my writing goals in perspective.
You may not have wanted to be a writer when you were a kid. That’s perfectly fine. Whenever you made your decision to become one, remember that moment.

—Visit Old Inspirations
There are particular stories that really impacted and inspired me. They reminded me why I wanted to write. Often revisiting those stories motivates me to continue my journey writing my own. Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Les Miserables, Lion King, Mulan, even The Legend of Zelda are all stories that hit me in the head, heart, or gut, hard, at some point in my life. Notice they don’t have to all be novels. And some are from my childhood.  Anything is fair game. Wherever they come from, all are timeless to me personally. Do you have stories that influenced you? Changed you? Consider revisiting them.


—Return to Old Work
When I say “old work,” I mean work that is old enough—perhaps several years old—that you can look at it without being too intense and critical, but not so old that it seems childish. This work might be nostalgic, a piece that brings back good memories and positive thoughts. For me, these are the stories I wrote in high school. They aren’t that great. I’ve improved a lot since then, which is helpful to recognize. And I still love them, because I worked hard on them and enjoyed writing them. Some of them even have decent plots, although the prose is cringe-worthy.
Look back at your old work and note how you have improved and reminisce in your past efforts.

—Retrieve Encouragements
Keep anything that praises your work or encourages your efforts. When you hit a blah period, take them out and read them. I have old reviews of my stories, messages from friends about how they liked my work, notes of encouragement, and other odds-and-ends. Knowing that there are people who believe in me and my writing rekindles my drive. These notes especially help when I’m hitting a hard point and my belief in myself gets shaky. I can rely on others’ belief in me.

—Tell Others about Your Goal
But don’t just tell anyone. This is a friend or family member that you can count on to be enthusiastic about your project. I have a few friends I can always count on to be genuinely interested and excited about my work. And enthusiasm can be contagious.
In closing, if you find yourself in a blah period, try doing one of these things and see if you can catch that motivational spark again.
What do you guys do when you’re having a meh moment? Share your wisdom in the comments and help me and others get over this phase. 




Thank you, Kami for stopping by and giving us an excellent post! 

Go VISIT, Follow, and comment on Kami's blog HERE! 
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Friday, February 22, 2013

Book Tour: Blue Sky ~ A Book Review


About the book: 

Sunny is bereaving the sudden death of her parents. Lewis is a homeless runaway seeking shelter in Sunny's basement from an early winter storm. When they unexpectedly meet, Sunny wants nothing more than to kill him. After a bizarre hostage situation and a poker game, Sunny realizes that Lewis isn't out to hurt her. Their initial distaste turns to friendship and love, but Sunny isn't keen on starting a relationship with a man she knows so little about. Lewis is loyal, and his patience paramount. 
Sunny is hesitant but her love runs deep and true. They are separated unwillingly, and must struggle and face overwhelming odds to find each other again.

My Review: 

This book has rendered me speechless. Such an adorable, lovable story! It truly took me by surprise and right from the beginning I was caught up in the book, unable to put it down, reading late at night not caring that I wasn't getting sleep.  And every moment spent away from the book was spent thinking about the story.

The book is beautifully written and pulls you right in.  Each character is unique, believable, and easy to connect with.  This beautiful story teaches that mistakes are made, and yet, you can be forgiven. You can forgive. And no matter how bad things get, there is always hope. 





About the Author: 

Melissa has had many imaginary friends (and enemies) since she was a child. Her vivid imagination had her writing stories and jotting down book ideas for years until she finally sat down and finished a novel. She is married to an awesome man and the proud mother of three children. Music is also an important part of her life and she shares time with her music students teaching them piano, cello or guitar. Melissa is a graduate of the University of Utah and currently resides in the Salt Lake area.



Stalk Melissa: 


Follow the Tour: 







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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Faerie Guardian: Creepy Hollow 1 ~ A Book Review


Book Blurb: 

Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day’s work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she’s about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until a cute human boy who can somehow see through her faerie glamour follows her into the fae realm. Now she’s broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.

The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he’s discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? Not when you factor in evil faeries, long-lost family members, and inconvenient feelings of the romantic kind. Vi is about to find herself tangled up in a dangerous plot—and it’ll take all her training to get out alive.



My Review: 
Right now, I just feel like going fangirl over this book. What can I say? ohmyfreakinggoodnessIloveit!! Ahhhh!  It is such an incredible book!!!!! Seriously, go buy this book right now, drop what you are doing, and read it!!! 

Every page keeps you guessing.  You feel for every character in there.  The guy you thought was an enemy? Yeah no, I love him! The guy you originally fall for? Yeah no, he's a jerk! (Well at least this is what you are led to believe) :D  Rachel Morgan is a fantastic author.  This is her calling, no doubt.  The way she weaves the story keeps you falling in love with every page! 

I seriously LOVE this book.  The characters are in depth, real, lovable, and you just can't get enough. 
The writing is amazing. The entire book is just beautiful.  
The story is fresh, exciting, there are no cliche's!  Everything is wonderful.  I haven't bee this in love with book in a long time! 

And I can tell you, I plan on buying every book Rachel Morgan writes.  

The Faerie Guardian, is going on my wonderful shelf of all -time favorites! 

Oh yes, and I absolutely LOVE the cover!!

Without a doubt, hands down:   





Where you can find Rachel:

Here is where you can find the series/book: 









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Monday, February 18, 2013

Book Tour: Pieces ~ A Book Review




Two years after watching her kidnappers go to prison, Naomi Jensen is still in love with one of them. Jesse will be released in a few years, and Naomi knows college is the perfect distraction while she waits. But when her new friend Finn makes her question what is right and what is wrong, she begins to wonder if Jesse is the one for her … until she discovers he's out on parole. Naomi must sort through her confusion to figure out where love and freedom truly lie—in Finn, who has no connections to her past, or Jesse, who has just asked her to run away with him.

Pieces is a companion to The Breakaway and can be read independently, if desired.




My Review: 
Pieces blew me away.  And did not end how I expected it to.  I LOVE where the book went, the journey Naomi takes to fix things of the past, and where she goes and the choices she makes so she has a good future.  If nothing else, this book teaches that no matter what has happened to you, or what may happen to you, you can always fix it, you can be strong and stand up for your self. 
And most importantly, it is never too late.  

There are a few scenes that are more adult. If asked to rate this book, I would say PG-13
While Pieces as written to be read after The Breakaway, or as a stand-alone, I definitely recommend reading The Breakaway first.  

The story is unique, captivating, filled with moments of laughing, crying, and times when you just want to step inside the book and give Naomi a hug.  Michelle is an incredible author with a true talent for writing. 

Overall rating: 



Pieces Excerpt: 

Excerpt from PIECES by Michelle Davidson Argyle
Copyright 2012 by Michelle Davidson Argyle
PIECES is published by Rhemalda Publishing (February 14, 2013)
Excerpt may not be used outside of the PIECES blog tour organized by Xpresso Book Tours
EXCERPT 001/005

When she answered the knock on her door, Naomi found Finn standing on her front
porch with a cup of iced tea and a Styrofoam box she guessed contained a slice of almond
cake.
“I’m sure you could order this somewhere else,” he said with a lopsided smile as he
held them out to her, “but nobody makes the combo quite like Java, and you said you
wanted to order some when you got back.”
She couldn’t keep the smile off her face as her mouth started to water. “Finn, I invited
you over for dinner. That didn’t mean you had to bring something.”
He rolled his eyes. “No, I invited myself over for dinner against your protests, so that
does mean I had to bring something. Now, enjoy.” He pushed the cup and box at her. She
took both. “And here’s a straw.”
She balanced it on top of the cup and stepped aside to let him in.
“What can I help with?” he asked, rubbing his hands together as he entered the
kitchen. “You clearly said this isn’t a date, so I’m going to help.”
Naomi was still standing by the door. She pushed it closed with her foot and followed
Finn into the kitchen. He was wearing the ripped jeans again. In fact, she was sure they
were the exact same pair he always wore. She smiled at his black Jimi Hendrix shirt.
“It’s pretty much done—just spaghetti. Nothing special.”
He walked to the oven and peeked inside. She had put in a loaf of French bread
earlier. “Did you make that?” he asked, looking over his shoulder.
“I haven’t mastered baking yet,” she said, shrugging. “I bought the loaf at the store,
but I made a garlic spread to put in the middle. It’s warming up in there.”
“Still, it looks great. And the sauce?” He lifted the lid off the stockpot and peeked
inside. “Did you make this from scratch?”
Chuckling, Naomi walked to the counter and set down her almond cake and iced tea.
“Yeah, I did. Why are you so fascinated?”
He returned the lid on the pot and turned around. “I don’t know. My mom doesn’t
cook much—she never cooked when I was growing up—so, yeah, this all smells
amazing. I’m used to eating at Java or boiling ramen noodles.” He put on a wicked smile.
“I knew it was a good idea to invite myself over. Maybe I’ll do it more often.”
Naomi grabbed the straw on top of her iced tea and began tearing off the end of the
wrapper. “Finn, about us hanging out, I called you because I’m … well, I have a problem
and I don’t think anyone will understand except you. I don’t think my housemate Becca
would understand what I’ve done since she’s never dropped below a 4.0 GPA. She tends
to judge people who slack off.” She finished unwrapping the straw and shoved it through
the hole on the cup lid. “And my mom will kill me when she finds out. I’m not sure what
I’m going to do and I ….” She picked up the tea and took a long gulp. The heavenly taste
kept her tears at bay for the moment. There was no way she was going to cry in front of
Finn.
He waited for her to finish. She took another sip of the drink and continued.

“And I have things I need to tell you because you seem to understand me on a level
not many people do. Well, two people. You and Jesse.”
Finn nodded.
“Jesse is my boyfriend.”
“I thought as much.”
She looked down at her feet and noticed her nail polish was almost worn off. She
always painted her toenails red—the same red Evelyn had used on her nails. When she
looked back up at Finn, he was peeking into the uncovered pot on the back burner.
“Noodles,” he said, smiling as steam rose up around his face.
Naomi rushed forward. “I need to check them.” She snatched a spaghetti spoon and
leaned past Finn so she could reach the pot. He didn’t move as she twirled the spoon and
caught some noodles.
“Want me to get out of the way?” he asked, grinning down at her.
With the spoon still poised over the pot, she looked up at him and realized he was
close enough for her elbow to brush against him. He smelled like almond cake. She asked
herself for the hundredth time why she had let him come over for dinner.
“No, I’m good,” she said, backing away with the spoon raised in the air. She looked
at the dangling noodles dripping hot water onto the floor. The ends were beginning to
turn white, which meant they were done. She lifted the spoon above her mouth and took
a bite. “Perfect,” she mumbled, chewing. As soon as she noticed Finn watching her with
a huge grin on his face, she turned away. “Can you drain the pot in the sink? There’s a
colander already in there.”
“Sure.”
Fumbling her way around the kitchen, she let Finn help her set the table and dish
up the food. When they were both seated, she put her hands on her knees and took a
deep breath. No matter what happened, she wouldn’t screw up. She wasn’t going to hide
anymore. She was going to tell Finn the truth, trusting he would understand and be there
for her when nobody else could be. She hoped confiding in him would show him how
highly she thought of him. His eyes were on her. He unfolded his napkin and set it on his
lap. She let out her breath and picked up her fork. “Let’s eat.”

Stalk the author, get the book: 

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Rhemalda 

Follow the tour: 

February 18
- Wonderland's Reader  >> Review both
- Some Like It Paranormal  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- The Bookmark Blog  >> Review Pieces
- Nothought2small  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- Booking It With Hayley G  >> Review both
- My Life is a Notebook  >> Promo
- Always YA at Heart  >> Review both + Promo
- Book Loving Mom  >> Review both
- Just a Booklover  >> Review Pieces + Promo 
- Enticed by Books  >> Review Pieces

February 19
- Basia's Bookshelf  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- Shiirleyy's Bookshelf  >> Review both 
- BookPics  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- I Talk Books!  >> Review Pieces
- Emily's Crammed Bookshelf  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- Read My Mind  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- Wake Up at Seven  >> Review The Breakaway + Promo
- The Anfractuous Bookaholic  >> Review Both + Promo

February 20
- The Book Belles  >> Review Pieces
- YA-Aholic  >> Review Pieces
- Ed and Em's Reviews  >> Review both
- Book Sniffers Anonymous  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- ReadingDiva's Blog  >> Promo
- Pieces of Whimsy  >> Review both
- Fiction Fervor  >> Review both
- Oh, The Books You'll Read!  >> Review both
- Reader Girls  >> Review both + Promo 

February 21
- BoundbyWords  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- A Backwards Story  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- Jenuine Cupcakes  >> Promo
- For The Love Of Film And Novels  >> Review both 
- Book Briefs  >> Review both + Promo
- Always Lost in Stories  >> Review both + Promo
- JennReneeRead  >> Review The Breakaway
- Defiantly Deviant  >> Review Pieces
- Shelfspace Needed  >> Review both + Promo

February 22
- Unforgettable Books  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- Vampandstuff  >> Review both
- SIK Book Reviews  >> Review both
- A Reader's Devotion  >> Review Pieces 
- Sparkles and Lightning  >> Review both
- Novel Nerd  >> Review both
- Paranormal Indulgence  >> Promo 
- Stuck In YA Books  >> Promo
- The Bookmark Blog  >> Review Pieces 

February 23
- The Teen Book Guru  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- In Which Ems Reviews Books  >> Review Pieces + Promo
- My Crazy Book Obsession  >> Review both + Promo
- Insomnia Of Books  >> Review both
- Turner's Antics  >> Review both 



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