Love Exactly Blog Tour & Scavenger Hunt & Review

Hello dear readers! Today there is a great giveaway as a part of the tour! Don't forget to hit each blog each day for extra entries by searching for the bold term and entering it in the rafflecopter! Here is the link to all the blogs on the scavenger hunt: http://wp.me/p2u7Qf-mo
*Note: My word will NOT be in a title or a header as those are already bolded. This will be a word in either the review or the extras. Happy Hunting! If you are having trouble finding the word email me and I will give you a hint!

Love Exactly
(Sticks & Stones Series)
by Cassandra Giovanni
Published: June 20, 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Format Reviewed: eBook ARC from author
*Mild sexual content

Book Blurb:
Emma Walker was a writer who'd lost herself to someone else's anger--who had given up on ever feeling like herself again.
Evan Levesque was a rock-god--the one all the woman wanted, but he'd never gotten used to the loneliness between the stage and real life.
With just one cup of coffee they'll begin a journey of self-discovery at each others sides, but can Emma handle Evan's fame while dealing with her own demons?
Emma's checkered personal past, a bad relationship that haunts the edges of her memories, threatens to make everything implode on them when Evan takes matters into his own hands.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they'll destroy my soul--Can Emma handle being put back together and facing who she's become because of it?

eBooks:

Amazon   -   Barnes & Noble   -   Kobo

Paperbacks:

Amazon   -   Signed direct from Author

Emma is a normal girl working as a journalist, living under her parent's house in a basement apartment, but has a past that haunts her every day. When she was a junior in high school, her boyfriend abused her - both physically and emotionally. Though the bruises may have healed, the words, the taunts, the scars that are seared into the mind and soul have yet to heal. And after five years of living in a shell of a body that neither she nor her parent recognize, something changes.

Evan Levesque, a rock star - no, a "Rock God" - bumps into Emma and spills her coffee. He asks her to reimburse her for the cup and takes her to a nearby coffee place and introduces her not only to a Caramel Macchiato, but to a person that may be able to help heal her soul. But he has his issues too. No one is perfect and though he may try, he has to come to terms with the fact that there are things he can't fix.

Ms. Giovanni is an exemplary writer. I knew from the very first exchanges that I was going to love Emma and Evan. Their relationship is not normal; he must go away for long periods of time to tour and record leaving little time for personal relationships. But Emma waits and they savor each and every minute they get to have together. And it is not perfect either. Evan also has a past; a bad boy with the conquests and groupies to match. And when it comes to protecting Emma he gets a little too enthusiastic with the punches. I love that the author does not gloss over the hard parts of life and love. The emotional struggles, the jealousies and the pain that comes with learning to love: To find out what is love exactly.

True to the New Adult genre, there is some sexual content, but unlike some NA books nothing is erotic or even described beyond slight inferences. I like that the author is able to portray real love and even some lust without having to become something that would be described as MA only. Love Exactly is a beautiful love story that illustrates the growth and healing of two people that were not whole until they found each other. I recommend this book to everyone who has had hurt in their lives and lived through it. I also recommend this book to those people who love a good love story with real life drama.

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes and excerpts from Love Exactly!

"Sticks andstones may break my bones, but words... they'll destroy my soul."

"If this was all I ever got from him--if this was the only moment I would ever have with him--I would memorize it."

"Bruises fade, but the words... they continue to sting long after their mark has left. Sometimes the words creep in and they are so much worse than the memories of the fists. I could battle through that physical pain -  I could even fight back, but the words... those are what decimated me."

"I try to memorize every song you sing me... but now I don't think I can. There's too many of them."

"I was quiet as I thought back to what happened over five years ago. It had been so long ago, but I'd blocked it out so well I could barely see past the vapors of pain that remained. I liked it that way, but I felt the fear building that with one misstep I could have all those memories back; that those demons would begin to haunt me again. I'd never dealt with them, and I knew demons unexorcized would always remain."

Cassandra doesn't remember a time when she wasn't writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since then Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character's stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. In 2012 she became a published Young Adult author, releasing In Between Seasons (The Fall, #1) and Walking in the Shadows. In 2013 she branched out by using her artistic illustrating talents to publish her first Children's novel, The Adventures of Skippy Von Flippy: Tales of Friendship (Skippy Tales, #1). Cassandra will also release her first New Adult novel, Just One Cup, in the Spring of 2013.

Cassandra is a freelance professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is the owner of Gio Design Studios, a photography and publication marketing company that designs covers and marketing materials for authors utilizing the company's photography. She is currently studying to receive her associates degree in Marketing. Cassandra is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England with the other loves of her life their dogs, Bubski and Kanga.

Blog - Website - Facebook - Goodreads

********************************************************

Scavenger Hunt Swagtastic Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Heven & Hell Anthology by Cambria Hebert

Heven & Hell Anthology

(The Complete Series)

by Cambria Hebert

Front Cover

Full Wrap Cover

The Entire Series

The Heven & Hell Anthology includes:

The complete series of novels:

Masquerade, Charade, Tirade, Renegade

The entire collection of short stories:

Before, Between, Bewitched, Beneath

Plus, never been seen before bonus content:

A special excerpt from Jason (Heven's dad),

The rules of a Hellhound,

and a Heven & Hell Yearbook 

-featuring cast photos, bios and more!

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series and the Death Escorts series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com

“Like” her on Facebook  -  Follow her on Twitter  
  Pinterest  -  Cambria's Website  -  Youtube Channel

At the end of May or begining of June, I will be holding a HUGE giveaway with book charm necklaces, free books, and so much more so stay tuned!

Proud Member of Cambria's Hellions! 

Cover Reveal: Just One Cup by Cassandra Giovanni

Just One Cup

by Cassandra Giovanni

Release Date: June 20, 2013
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Emma Walker was a writer who'd lost herself to someone else's anger--who had given up on ever feeling like herself again. Evan Levesque was a rock-god--the one all the woman wanted, but he'd never gotten used to the loneliness between the stage and real life. With just one cup of coffee they'll begin a journey of self-discovery at each others sides, but can Emma handle Evan's fame while dealing with her own demons? Emma's checkered personal past, a bad relationship that haunts the edges of her memories, threatens to make everything implode on them when Evan takes matters into his own hands. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they'll destroy my soul--Can Emma handle being put back together and facing who she's become because of it?

Cassandra doesn't remember a time when she wasn't writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since then Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character's stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. In 2012 she became a published Young Adult author, releasing In Between Seasons (The Fall, #1) and Walking in the Shadows. In 2013 she branched out by using her artistic illustrating talents to publish her first Children's novel, The Adventures of Skippy Von Flippy: Tales of Friendship (Skippy Tales, #1). Cassandra will also release her first New Adult novel, Just One Cup, in the Spring of 2013.

Cassandra is a freelance professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is the owner of Gio Design Studios, a photography and publication marketing company that designs covers and marketing materials for authors utilizing the company's photography. She is currently studying to receive her associates degree in Marketing. Cassandra is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England with the other loves of her life their dogs, Bubski and Kanga.

Blog - Website - Facebook - Goodreads

Owlet Blog Tour + Guest Post & Giveaway!

Welcome to my stop on the Owlet Tour! This tour is brought to you by Tribute Books. Thank you to Emma Michaels & Tribute Books for providing the book to review. There is also a tour-wide giveaway for some nifty goodies!

Owlet
Society of Feathers, #1
by Emma Michaels
Publication Date:October 13, 2012
Published by: Tribute Books
ISBN: 9780985792213
ISBN: 9781476473338
Pages: 170
Format Reviewed: eARC (from publisher)


Synopsis:
Somewhere between falling and flying… there is a girl.

Iris has a secret. She lost her memory eight years ago and never told a living soul. After an asthma attack one night she finds out that her dreams of a strange house on a snowy island may be a memory resurfacing but the more she learns about the past the more she realizes the life she has been living is a lie. As the façade her father has built starts to crumble around her she will have to decide which means more to her; the truth or her life.

Amazon     Barnes & Noble     iTunes     Smashwords     PDF

My Thoughts:

Imagine being confined to your home: no school, no work, no play. Imagine never being allowed to play or run like a normal kid. Now imagine having to keep all your emotions in check as a teenager so that you won't have to end up intubated because you can't breathe. This is the life that Iris (Izzy) has had to lead because of her sever asthma. She lives in a secluded area with only her father and her caretaker Diana where she is homeschooled and watched 24/7. The only time she is free is when she dreams. She dreams of an island that is blanketed in feathers like snow. In her dreams she flys to this island, to a house with a red door, but is not allowed to enter. In her latest dream, becoming so distraught that she is being shut out of a place she knows she belongs, she begs the house to let her in, but once again she is pulled away from her dream. Izzy wakes up intubated in her father's study because she worked herself up so much in her dream that she had an attack while she was sleeping. I can't imagine how Izzy feels waking up to not being able to talk, to move in fear of damaging her airway. I would be afraid of going to sleep. At least when she is awake they can just give her the inhaler. But to Izzy, this is normal, a life of always fearing for her next breath.

When Izzy's father tells her he is sending her away to an island, the island, the one in her dreams, life become surreal for Izzy. She wasn't just having vivid dreams, she was remembering things her memory has blocked from her consiousness. She doesn't remember anything until she arrives on the island, and then real memories start to form. She lived on the island with her family when her mother was still alive. She has connections to people, a boy in particular -Falcom- that she knows instantly. In fact, there are things all over the island that hold secrets that are just waiting to be revealed. Izzy has been living a lie her whole life. Her father has been keeping her hidden, not only because of her asthma, but because she is being hunted. And the biggest secret of all is that Izzy isn't exactly human...she is an Owlet, a part of The Society of Feathers.

Ms. Michaels has created a beautiful yet haunting world where nothing is ever as it seems. Owlet's words are emotional and exciting. The story is written beautifully and the world Ms. Michaels has woven is intricate, magical and enthralling. I instanly felt for Izzy and became attatched to her character. She is fragile, but she still fights despite everything and everyone that is in her way. I can't wait to see how Izzy learns to control and live in her new world. She is on her way to becoming independent and stronger than she ever had to be before. I can't wait for book two, Eyrie because this is only the beginning of andventure and is only the tip of the iceburg of secrets and legends. 

On a personal note, Owlet really resonated with me, because like Iris I have asthma. It kept me indoors and from doing so much in my life for fear of not being able to breathe. I knew I had to read this book when I saw that what Izzy's plight was. My blog, for those who don't know, is named Breathe In BooKs because as a kid I couldn't do anything overly strenuous so I stayed inside and read which created a life of inhaling books. Thank you to Emma Michaels for writing a book that gives people insight into the lives of those who are always fighting to breathe.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review as part of a blog tour. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.

Read Along Excerpt:
“Really?” she asked.

“Yes of course, Izzy. You know...well, maybe you don’t, but...I would tell you anything.” The look in his eyes was so sincere that Iris was rendered completely speechless. He watched her reaction and stood there giving her time to think. She felt like his eyes could see straight through into her thoughts, but instead of shying away she smiled.

“No one else has. Everyone else has refused to answer my questions; until earlier and...that didn’t work out too well.”

“I am not everyone else,” he said and smiled at her again before turning around and continuing to lead the way.

“Where are we going?” Iris asked. She could feel her eyebrows knit together and was glad Falcon had turned away. She was sure it was the least attractive pose her face could make at that moment. A wave of panic ran through her as she was suddenly all too aware that she was wearing the same jeans and t-shirt she had worn on the plane and didn’t have even a pinch of make-up on.

He wouldn’t care if you had horns and a tail.
“Now that one I was hoping you wouldn’t ask. I wanted it to be a surprise. But since you asked,” he said with a wink. “I am taking you to see eagles dance.”

“Eagles...dance?”


Guest Post by Emma Michaels:

Entertaining Bird Facts

The study of Ornithology is a fascinating science. For my novel, Owlet, I did a lot of research on birds. I encountered some very interesting and entertaining bird facts that served to both inspire and enlighten me during me writing process.

Did you know that falcons mate by locking talons high up in the sky and then together go into a spiral dive? The peregrine falcon is also the fastest bird. This downward spiral is as deadly as they are beautiful. If the two falcons do not trust each other completely, and watch out for one another, they will not be able to pull up in time, ending in tragedy. Yet we learn some fascinating things from this that we might apply to our own lives. Iris and Falcon become locked in their own dive, and if they don’t trust one another they might have their own tragic end.

The Secretary Bird, who inspired characters within my book, is known as the most vicious kicker. When you first see them, you might do double-take. They are unusual to look at, but very majestic. Watch out, however, because there is a reason there are known as the most vicious kicker.

The barn swallow is known as the bird with the sexiest tail. No, I’m not kidding. The Hoatzin has the biggest belly, but you will never forget these beautiful birds as they soar through the sky. Then there is the Comb-crested Jacana, known as having the longest toes of any bird. Now you might think this sounds silly, but watch them walk on water. Yes, they can actually walk on water!

Let us not forget the smelliest bird of them all, the Crested Auklet. Born with a goofy looking smile, this bird will remind you of a penguin, but don’t be fooled, because your nose will be in for one heck of a surprise!

Owlet was a delight for me to write, and I learned many entertaining bird facts during my journey that translated over into some of the small nuances of characters (not the smelly one or the one with the toes :-p). I would encourage readers to look into the world of ornithology more as they read Owlet. This is such a beautiful world we live in, filled with exotic birds that seem to be a part of our own souls. 

About the Author:

Facebook      Twitter     Website     GoodReads

Emma Michaels is the author of the ‘A Sense of Truth’ and ‘Society of Feathers’ series. Her goal with her latest YA novel 'Owlet' is to give others what she did not have growing up; a strong female protagonist with asthma. While her previous aspiration was to be a lady knight she realized that not being able to run more than a few feet might become a hindrance so turned to writing instead. Her day jobs include being a cover artist, marketing consultant and silk screen designer.

As the founder of The Writers Voice blog (http://OurBooksOurVoice.Blogspot.com) she loves to connect authors and readers. As a book blogger turned author, she was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, until she moved at eighteen to Washington State. Suddenly, the world was a new place filled with tall green trees that reached further for the sky with every moment, making her want to do the same. Ever since, she has tried to make her life something new and different from what it was before, pursuing her future career, setting high goals and reaching for them. With the support of her fiancé, Chihuahua, and her amazing blog followers and fellow bloggers, she wants to prove to the world that anything is possible and help inspire fellow literary lovers to reach for their dreams.
#Owlet   Owlet GoodReads   Tribute Books website    Tribute Books Facebook    Tribute Books Twitter

*****Giveaway*****

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome to Heven & Hell Week! ~Interview with Cambria Hebert

Welcome to Heven & Hell Week!

For an entire week, I will be writing about the Heven & Hell series by Cambria Hebert. I will be featuring reviews, character spotlights, sneak peaks, and exclusives from Cambria herself!

There will also be a huge giveaway - prizes to be announced tomorrow (Monday) along with the Rafflecopter entry form!!

To kick off the week, I have an interview with the totally awesome creator of this fantastic series. Thank you Cambria for letting me into your world!

**********Interview**********

First, a quickie: give us the genre of your Heven & Hell series and tagline in 30 words or less.
Heven had it before an accident left her disfigured – an accident she can’t remember. Sam comes to town and Heven finds out there being scarred is the least of her worries.

 
Okay, its 31 words. LOL. 

The tag line I tend to gravitate toward: What will happen when Heven and Hell collide?

Who is your intended audience and why should they read your books?
This book is a young adult book but I think anyone beyond the young adult age can enjoy it. In fact, my grandmother and her friends read the series. LOL!

Is there a message in your novels that you want readers to be aware of?
Actually there is. I think an underlying theme in Masquerade is that beauty and strength come from the inside. It doesn’t really matter what you look like on the outside. You have to find your inner confidence and your inner strength and let that guide you. Also, I think that another message is that people make mistakes, they aren’t perfect and that’s okay. I think just trying to do the right thing makes up for a lot. 

I know that’s not very eloquent – hopefully I say it better in the books.

Are experiences in the books based on people you know, or events in your own life or are they completely organic?

I think that all writers to some extent write what they know… my life in general influences me. Experiences that I have had have shaped my thinking, etc. But with that being said I haven’t based any of my characters off anyone that I know. It might seem a little odd… but I think basing characters off people I know would be more difficult that just writing organically. When you write someone who really already exists you have to really try to capture their essence – I think I would have to know them on a very deep level, especially if I was writing in first person (which I prefer) because then I would have to know how they would react and think. Plus, I think there is an added layer of pressure if I was to write someone I knew. What if I saw them differently than they saw themselves? Then they might be offended by the way I wrote them.

I prefer to let my characters tell me who they are. ;)

Although, I will say that I based the way Gemma looks off my daughter. ;) 

Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series.
Well let’s see…. 

*The original draft of Masquerade did not have a Sam POV… I know GASP! Can you imagine the book without his POV?

*My husband is the cover model for Tirade and all my pictures of Riley.

*Some inside scoop: My daughter will be the model for Gemma and on the cover for the next novella released in the series titled Beneath.

*Before every release of one of my novels I read it and reread it and convince myself that it’s no good and no one will like it and I get panicked that I will disappoint my fans.

*I call my editor a Poop head during every edit. (Editor is Amy Eye of The Eyes for Editing) And she tells me my characters are bi-polar then makes me fix them. LOL.

*My book was once mentioned in a church bulletin and then the pastor talked about it in his sermon. (How there was a message of love in the book)

Here is a picture of the program where Masquerade was mentioned (in case you think I’m making up stories!):

If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be? Why? 
You know, my novels aren’t perfect. I try my best to write a story that I think people will love but I know not everyone will. But to be honest, I wouldn’t change anything. I stand behind my books and my writing and I am proud of them.

Which character is your favorite? Will you miss them the most when the series ends?
Oh, I don’t know if I could choose a favorite character. I go through phases with them all. I obsess over them all at some point or another. LOL. At first it was Heven, then Sam… then Logan, Kimber and now I am in love with Riley. I gotta tell you… Riley snuck up on me. I think he’s my guy. ;)

You know I was thinking about wrapping up this series the other day and if I would miss the characters but you know what I realized? They won’t really be gone. They live inside my head so I can talk to them whenever I want. And if I really start to miss them, I can pick up one of my books.

How about your least favorite character?
LOL, my least favorite…. I think my least favorite is China. I won’t go into too much detail about her so I don’t give things away but I would say she would be my least. She’s just not a nice person – she has hidden agendas and there is nothing redeeming about her at all. She was probably the least fun to write too, even though she causes a lot of trouble (you think I would like to write all that!).

Some might expect me to choose a different character--- like the main villain in the books, and I don’t really like him but sometimes he’s fun to write because I get to do things that are creative and nasty. He he he he.

What will be the last book in the Heven & Hell series? 
The last novel in the series will be Renegade. It will be book number four. I do plan to do one more novella after Renegade comes out but that will be all. Also, I may eventually compile all the shorts in the series into one book and put them in print – as sort of a Heven and Hell anthology.

Can you tell us what you have in store for us next?
Hmmmmm…. I could…… I’ve got the last book in the series Renegade to publish sometime in 2013 (not dates on that yet sorry – I will announce after the holidays) and also two more novellas in the series to be released next year.

And…. I am cooking up something new…. But that’s all I say about it right now. J

Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?
Well yes! I am a terrific dancer! I have my own special dance called the “booty dance”. My kids think it’s so good that when I do it they cover their eyes and say “I can’t watch!” I know it’s because they are jealous I am so good.

It must be a lot of pressure to live up to such a fabulous mother.

HA HA HA HA.

Seriously, I do have some hobbies that I hate to admit I don’t have much time for lately. I used to have more time but it seems that work and life have taken over! When I do have time I like to paint (I’m not very good but its fun) and I also decorate cakes (only for family and friends).

Here is an example of the cakes I decorate:

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
Tell people!!! Word of mouth is a great sales tool and such a wonderful help to authors. The more people that know about my books the great chance I have at selling more copies! Lol.

Now that you are self-publishing, what is your advice to those who are looking into that pathway?

Do some homework. I know *GROANS* I hate that stuff too. If it isn’t fun research then no one wants to do it, but this is something you need to do. You need to know at least the basics of publishing: ISBN #’s, Copyrights, Formatting, editing, setting up accounts at various printing and publishing sites… it’s a never ending list and I was just talking with another writer friend who has been really helpful to me – Tish Thawer – she writes the Rose Trilogy- go read it!!! – that many of these sites take a lot of information… I feel like they want my blood, all my money and my first born child…. LOL.

That brings me to another piece of advice ( I know I am SO smart)- get a support system. Talk with other authors and learn what they do. Help each other. The process is easier when you know you aren’t alone. 

How can readers contact you or find out more about your books? 
They can visit my website! Http://www.cambriahebert.com. If you have a specific question you can email me via my contact form on my website or you can find me on facebook. I have a fan page under my name. ;)

 

 Thanks again to the lovely and supremely talented Cambria Hebert!

Tell Me Something Tuesday #36

It is that time of week again! You guessed it -Tell Me Something Tuesday; a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous author of the Heven and Hell series, Cambria Hebert. If you would like to participate, visit her blog and grab next week's question and add your link. This week's question:

Is your TBR pile out of control? How do you plan to reign it in?

Dude - I cannot tell you how OTC my TBR pile is! Not only do I have books from authors who have requested an honest review, I also have ARCs from NetGalley and from Firstreads to get through and actually post them before the release date! I am booked out to the first week in November. I was sick recently and haven't been able to read as quickly as I would regularly, but I am doing much better and am back on full speed ahead, lol!

I have a strategy to get it all under control though. For the personally requested reviews I have a list of every book in order of date requested. I am just going to go down the line and get my reviews out as efficiently as I can. For my ARCs I have the release date down and I plan on getting the reviews for those out no later than two weeks before that date. I like lists. I just check off each book as I am done and go to the next.

I have tour stops that I am scheduled for, too. Those books get smooshed into the pile and I read those in the same week of the tour stop. I always have my Google calender remind me when those stops are coming up so I don't have to cram. 

And lastly, my library books. The new releases that have come out in hardcover are usually going to be loaned from the library. I want to see if I like the book before I pay full price. I love the library, but the only problem is I only have 3 weeks with each book, which would be fine under normal circumstances because I ready really fast, but when I have others to read, those go to the wayside and currently are being returned because I can't renew them and put back on my order list. 

Coffee is my BFF and I am reading every chance I get. This is a crazy time, but I love every minute of blogging/reading/reviewing. I very grateful that authors have contacted me for reviews and I can't wait to get to the next book!

How about you? Is your TBR pile out of control?