Saturday, August 31, 2013

COVER REVEAL: Forever Fredless by Suzy Turner

It's always a pleasure to support a fellow author that I love and respect. Suzy Turner's latest novel is coming out soon and her new cover is revealed this weekend!!

Forever Fredless by Suzy Turner


Kate Robinson has spent the past two decades yearning to find her soul mate, the boy she found and then lost during a family holiday. Shortly after her twenty-eighth birthday, however, she inherits a fortune from an old family friend and becomes something of an overnight celebrity. Can her new-found fame lead her to him after all this time?

Forever Fredless will be available from online bookstores from October 2013.



For more details about Suzy and her books, visit: 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Double Cover Reveal!! For the Betwixt Series by Melissa Pearl


Mrs. Potter’s Book Publicity Services Presents:
A Double Cover Reveal for author Melissa Pearl!



BEFORE
(Betwixt Novella #0.5)

Description:
Dale Finnigan is a teenage rebel; he lives for parties, girls and joy riding in stolen cars. In spite of his uptight parents' constant warnings and lectures, he continues to run wild. His crazy lifestyle is the only way he can live and feel free…until his reckless behavior takes him down a path where there is no going back.

In this prequel to BETWIXT, find out who Dale Finnigan was before he became known as “scar-face”—the unassuming hero everyone underestimates.


Add BEFORE to your Goodreads TBR List


BEYOND
(Betwixt Novella #1.5)

Description:
Have you ever been so in love with someone, but not had the courage to tell them?

Nicole Tepper is that girl. She loves her boyfriend Dale, but fearing rejection, keeps her feelings buried deep. She can’t even let on how heartbroken she is when Dale begins applying for colleges thousands of miles away from her; never even whispering a word about how much she wishes he would stay close.

But, when Dale is rejected from Columbia University in NYC, due to a police report that follows him wherever he goes, Nicole soon discovers that love can drive her to do things she never thought possible.

There's more than one way to say, I love you and Nicole Tepper is about to prove to Dale that she loves him beyond all common sense.


Add BEYOND to your Goodreads TBR List



Cover Designs By: Eden Crane Design


AUTHOR BIO:
“I used to be a full time teacher (11-13 year olds) then I became a full time mother. During that time I also found my passion for writing. Over the last ten years I have been studying the craft and putting myself out there.My first trilogy came out in November, 2011. It has been a wild ride swimming in this indie river and I have loved so much of it. I have learned so many amazing things and met so many great people. It has totally solidified the fact I want to be a writer for as long as I possibly can!

I now have five books published and am working on a new YA Fantasy trilogy for 2013. I am having so much fun with it and can't wait to share it with everybody.

I am from New Zealand, but am currently living in China with my husband and two sons. It has been a culture shock, but it's pretty cool living in such a different country.” ~Melissa Pearl

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Book Review - Fire by T. G. Ayer

Normal people sneak out to a party and have fun. Maya Rao ends the evening by incinerating the guy who attacks her. 

Nik Lucas, sexy, new in town and totally forbidden, happens to walk in on her. Normal guys would run for the hills. Nik knows a whole lot more than he's telling.

Maya doesn't believe the gods are real, doesn't waste her time with mere mythology. But when gods, demons and hellhound's become the new normal and wielding fire becomes her new skill, she must decide what it is she really believes.

Can Maya accept that normal is something she will never be because it isn't normal to be...the Hand of Kali.


My thoughts...

Let me first talk about the beauty of this cover. Isn't it gorgeous? Look at that hair! I think it's stunning.

Now to the story. This is my favourite T. G. Ayer book so far. I think it's because it has far more teen angst than her other books and I'm really into that. Maya is a great character. Ayer knows how to write kick-ass female leads and Maya is no exception. But Maya also has a softness and uncertainty about her that is endearing.

The romantic elements of this story are great. I'm totally into the whole forbidden love thing and Nik is a GREAT character. I was totally crushing on him throughout the book :)

I also love Maya's two best friends. They bring so much flavour to the story. They balanced the tense action with the right amount of comic relief and a few heartfelt moments that were brilliantly written.

Another plus about this story is the unique nature of the mythology. I knew nothing about Hindu mythology before reading this and I found it fascinating. I love that we find out things at the same time Maya does. It made me feel like I was walking the journey with her and helped me engage so much faster.

If you're looking for a unique story with strong characters and Ayer's usual writing flair, then you should definitely check out Fire.

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
iTunes

Add the book to your reading list on Gooreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17264568

Monday, August 19, 2013

A Chat With Book Reviewer - Danielle from Mercurial Musings

Danielle writes the best reviews. I always love how thorough she is and how often she captures the heart of a story. It is my total pleasure to have her visit YAlicious today.

Welcome along, Danielle :)

1.     When did you first discover your love for reading?

I’ve loved to read for as long as I can remember. While I wasn’t allowed to watch much TV growing up, my parents let me read whatever I wanted to. Before entering middle school, I’d gone through most of Dickens’ works and was getting started on Stephen King. My mom quickly learned early that sending me to my room as a punishment didn’t really work because I would curl up with a book, perfectly content.

2.     What were your favourite types of books as a kid?

I’ve always been an omnivore when it comes to books. One minute I’m reading the classics, the next it’s whatever popular book I find on the shelf of an airport bookshop. I do remember loving Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes as a girl, that’s the puzzle-solver in me. Stephen King and H. P. Lovecraft were also favorites, especially to read by flashlight under the covers!

3.     How do you like to feel when you finish a book?

Satisfied. I hate an implausible happy ending. I hate endings that are more the author deciding he/she did not want to write any more than a carefully crafted cliffhanger. The ending needs to make sense in relation to the rest of the book. I love turning the last page and musing for a bit about how that book changed me or how the characters will continue to pull at my brain for a few days after.

4.     What do you like most about reviewing books for authors?

Being able to communicate with authors is a great perk. Before I started blogging, I didn’t really know how to contact the writers I admired. Now, with a quick tweet or email I can thank an author for letting we the readers into the world they created. Sometimes, an author will reply back, and that’s just a bonus. In a few cases, some of the authors whose books I’ve loved have become friends.

5.     What's the most recent book you've read that you thought would make an awesome movie?

I just finished reading Juvie by Steve Watkins, it played out in my head as a movie the entire time I was reading. It’s written very succinctly in chapters that move between past and present, giving readers bits of the story at a time. This style lends itself perfectly to the screen.

A REVEIWER'S RECOMMENDATIONS
A traditionally published author you love:
Libba Bray. Her writing is brilliant—she paints with words so beautifully; I love being lost in her books. But the most amazing thing is how she moves effortlessly between genres. Historical fiction with a supernatural twist, yep, she’s done that. Snarky satire full of smart humor, she’s done that too. I’ve come to believe there’s nothing she can’t do. If you’ve not read any of her books, do so immediately—I’d start with The Diviners.

An indie author you love:
Of course, I love your books, Melissa :) But I also adore Megan Curd’s books. Her imagination is limitless and her drive to make her writing the best it can be is inspirational. She has a new book coming out this month, Steel Lily, everyone should check it out!

One of your favourite YA books:
So difficult to pick one and if you ask me again tomorrow, I’m sure I’ll change my mind. Shine by Lauren Myracle moved me in a way few books have, it’s edgy and real and creeps into your subconscious.

One of your favourite Adult books:
Again, choosing one is tough. I’m going to pick Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. Krakauer is one of my favorite non-fiction writers. His style is journalistic with a narrative twist. The story of Chris McCandless is one of tragedy and unfortunate circumstance and reminds us all of the fragility of life.

A book you've read more than once and the reason why:

Alice in Wonderland. We moved a lot when I was growing up, pretty normal for a military family—we shipped off from country to country and I always felt a bit like Alice, falling down the rabbit hole and not really knowing where I’d land. Alice is a book I re-read every year, I have since I was maybe nine or ten. I also collect copies and would love to one day get my hands on a first-edition!

That is so cool, Danielle. Alice in Wonderland is a true classic. I love how many different genres you enjoy. Thanks again for sharing with us.

If you'd like to connect with Danielle online, you can find her here. 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

The Power of Cover Art - Guest Post by Leigh K. Hunt

It is totally awesome to have my writing (and graphic designer) buddy, join me on YAlicious today. I asked Leigh, if she'd be happy to put together a post on cover art, because this girl is a talent and has a keen eye for what works and what doesn't.

Thanks so much for being here, Leigh :)

Wow – thank you for having me here at YAlicious, Mel – lovely to hang out with you guys.


Today I want to say a few words about cover art, and the marketing power it has over our readers. And I’m going to sum up this post in three sentences: If you have good solid cover art and design, you have a phenomenal marketing advantage. If you don’t? Then it’s time to get clued up.
I have been giving cover design advice to authors for years. Seriously. Years. I have laughed, I have cried, and I have even wept in appreciation for amazing covers. I am that passionate about it. In this post I am going to give examples of what I consider a bad cover, an average cover, and a brilliant cover.

And if you are a writer – you need to strive for a brilliant cover – because that is a marketing tool you cannot afford to ignore. You want sales? There are some people (*gasp*) that do actually judge books by their covers. You want to know what else? I’m one of them. Seriously. I kid you not. As a designer, and as a writer – I want to read a book with an amazing cover. Because I know that if the book has an incredible cover that makes me go ‘ahhhh…’ then I know that the author has put in the time, energy, and love into the cover – and I *hope* that they have done the same with their writing and editing of a brilliant novel.

For this exercise, I’m choosing three different covers all on stories about vampires. First up – to demonstrate is what I consider a bad book cover to look like – Saint Sanguinus, by Someone… Someone… Smith? (I’m not entirely sure who, because I can’t really read the first two names….): 

This is my analysis of the cover. 
- No cohesion in the image. It has unblended layers, making it look clunky, and a lot like a bad computer game from the 80s.  Colours are incredibly contrasting, making it hard to look at.
     - Font is unreadable, both for the title, and the author name. Erm… and speaking of the title? What on earth does that even mean? Titles should be catchy or easy to understand, or perhaps they could even possess some sort of insight as to what the book is about.
    - And while I’m sure the young chap on the front cover is a nice enough dude in real life – he doesn’t make a very captivating cover model, and most definitely does not make me want to read the book.

In summary – this cover turns me against ever buying the book. And you know what? That is so not cool for the author, as I believe every author should have a shot at getting their work read… but when the readers are like me, and constantly judge books by their covers – this story is not even going to make the reading list in a million years. Because there are a million other vampire stories out there with better covers.

*****

Next up is a cover that I consider pretty average. Carrie Vaughn’s ‘Kitty in the Underworld’ cover is okay and it does the job. But it doesn’t jump out at me.
This is my analysis.

     - While there is nothing really fundamentally wrong with this cover – it just doesn’t attract me as a reader. This cover is what I consider - boring. 
     - What I really want to know is… what does a great big cat have to do with vampires? The only thing I can uncover from reading the blurb is that Kitty is the main character. Not the cat on the cover. Go figure.
     - The fonts are streamlined, and there are a maximum of two different types of fonts used on the cover, all of which fits rather well for a good design. But I’m not liking the top corner/bottom corner placement of text. It could have been done a lot better, with exactly the same fonts – just placed differently on the cover image.

And all this from an NYT Bestseller, whose professional publishing team probably did all the cover work for her.

*****

Blood Slave, by Travis Luedke: Now, this is a cover that I consider as a really good one.

Why?
- It is eye-catching. The graphics are spectacular, and yet simple. The colours and contrasts are good. The blood splatter on her neck immediately tells me that the book is about vampires, and that the chances are – I can guess it’s about a woman of upper class status (judging from her jewellery and clothing) and I’m guessing she is a blood slave to the vampires.
- Do I know anything more? No. But that’s when I can read the blurb, and find a little more out.
- But honestly? If someone just sent me this picture and said – ‘Hey, do you want to read this?’ I would have to say yes. Yes, indeed. It might be the crappiest book on earth, but I will at least buy the book and open the first page. And if I keep reading after that, then that author has a new reader.

Just as an end note to this post – while cover design is super-super important as a marketing tool – so are titles. Seriously important. There are some really awful ones out there, so make sure you do your research. But I’m not here to talk about titles at the moment – that’ll be a post for another day, I guess!

If you would like to take a look at some seriously shocking book covers and titles to learn about what NOT to do – then visit: Lousy Book Covers.

If you want to read more of my opinions on good cover design please visit: Sexy Designer Covers or Judging a Book by its Cover, or just on any subject in general – you can find me over at Parchment Place.

Thanks for having me here today, it’s been a pleasure.
Now go forth, and celebrate sexy and eye-catching designer covers.

~ ~ ~ ~

FB Graphic Design Services Page: http://www.facebook.com/DwellDesignandPress

Leigh K. Hunt considers herself to be a dreamer. She disappears into worlds created within her head, and every now and then she’ll re-enter the real world for a little while before delving back in again. Leigh writes for the love of writing, the creation of new worlds, and meeting new characters.
Leigh has written a number of unpublished novels, and some short fiction. She usually writes thrillers, but is currently trying her hand at writing an Urban Fantasy trilogy. Over the years, Leigh has placed in a number of short story competitions. The short story published in Tales for Canterbury is the only drama based story she has written to date.
She loves travelling, design, and music - and tries to indulge in most of it, all of the time. Once upon a time, she used to surf, but she hasn't managed to dip her little surfer toes back in the water since she was pregnant. (One day she'll get back in!)

To find out more about what Leigh is currently up to in her writing world - please connect with her on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/leigh.k.hunt

Thursday, August 8, 2013

The Trilogy Is Complete Giveaway!!

Yay! The trilogy is complete!! I'm so excited that I have finished this series. Unleashed (Bk 3) is my favourite book in the series and I can't wait for you guys to read the conclusion.


But first - you need to read Unknown and Unseen. Haha :D

So to make it easy on you, I have decided to run a three day giveaway. It's super easy to enter. All you have to do is share about the giveaway and you will automatically get a FREE COPY of Unknown. There are three digital copies of Unseen and Unleashed to be won as well, so please spread the word and pick up a copy of Unknown.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purchase links for Unseen and Unleashed.



Monday, August 5, 2013

How About You? Writing Styles

I usually try to aim this blog at readers. I want it to be a site that readers can visit to discover new authors and books that will tickle their fancy.

But today, I want to aim my post at writers.
Every writer I know is an avid reader anyway :)

I wanted to talk about writing styles.
What kind of writer are you?

Me? I like writing (and reading) books that are short and punchy. I don't like too much description. I love lots of dialogue and lots of emotion. I like to fall in love with the characters. I want to be drawn into their worlds and get inside their heads. I want to cry and feel everything the characters are going through. So I like stories that are very character driven. I also love romance. Great relationships are key for me. I will lose interest very quickly if I don't have a couple that I can cheer for. That's why my stories will always have a strong, romantic element. And I like a little mystery. I love surprising my readers. I love weaving a thread through the book that will keep readers flipping pages and be unable to put the book down.

My goal as a writer has always been to help people escape into a different reality for a while, to get drawn into a story - to laugh, cry and fall in love. I want to write those books you can read in one sitting and am always so chuffed when I read a review that says, "I couldn't put the book down" OR "I read it in one sitting."

So how about you?
What kind of stories tickle your fancy?
What kind of writer are you?

Thursday, August 1, 2013

COVER REVEAL - Cambria Hebert introduces you to her latest series and new cover - TORCH

  Hey everyone!! SO happy to be here today to kick of a brand new series in a brand new genre for me!!!! TORCH is the first book in the Take It Off series. This is a New Adult Contemporary series that is recommended for readers 18+. Before I explain more let me show you the cover!!
Torch by Cambria Hebert ebooksm
I am in love with this cover.
TORCH Blurb
***This is a new adult contemporary novel and contains sexual content and graphic language. It is not intended for young adult readers.***
If you can’t take the heat… stay away from the flame.
Katie Parks has been on her own since the age of fifteen. All she’s ever wanted is a place to call her own—a life that is wholly hers that no one can take away. She thought she finally had it, but with the strike of a single match, everything she worked so hard for is reduced to a pile of smoking ash. And she almost is too.
Now she’s being stalked by someone who’s decided it’s her time to die. The only thing standing in the path of her blazing death is sexy firefighter Holt Arkain.
Katie’s body might be safe with Holt… but her heart is another story.
As the danger heats up, sparks fly and the only thing Katie knows for sure is that her whole life is about to go up in flames.
Additional Information about TORCH
Title: Torch
Series: Take It Off (A sexy series of stand alone novels all in the new adult contemporary genre)
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Author: Cambria Hebert
Published by Cambria Hebert
Release Date: August 23, 2013 (ebook will be $2.99)
Format: Ebook and Paperback
Cover Design by: Regina Wamba at Mae I Design
Be part of the 3 day Release Day Blitz!
BlitzSignups
There will be a 3 day release blitz event hosted by Girls *Heart* Books. You can sign up to be part of the blitz here:
The TAKE IT OFF TOUR
Toursignups
The Take It Off tour is being hosted by Girls *Heart* Books and will take place September 29th- October 30th
The tour not only celebrates TORCH but also TEASE, the second release in the series (Sept. 2013). And then on the final day of the tour the third book in the series will release!!!
If you would like to sign up for the Take It Off tour you can do that here: