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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cover Reveal

My friend and one-time CP, Kimblery Sabantini, had her cover reveal today and it's so AMAZING that I wanted to share it too.
Come on -- you don't even need the book description to know you want this!  So go -- add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads pronto.  And in case you're still here, I present the Goodreads synopsis:

Life-altering mistakes are meant to alter lives.

At seventeen, Elliot Turner feels like she’s a failure in life and in the afterlife. She’s died for the third time and until she can remember her past and figure out the growth plan for her soul, she’s stuck at the Obmil Center for Progression. Elliot’s not surprised that her third stay in limbo guarantees her a rocky road to enlightenment, but she never expected her best friend, Julia to be mad at her. Things get even worse when Elliot meets Oliver and Trevor. One guy is as radiant as the sun and the other is dark and snarky and hates her for no reason at all. It doesn’t take long for Elliot to realize that the deeper she delves into her past, the more complicated it gets--she’s only touched the surface.


Awesome right?  It's coming September 14, 2011 from Simon Pulse.  Until then, stalk Kim on twitter, because she's WAY cool.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Happy Debut YA Book Birthday!

Let's hear it for Tuesday and the birthday of some fabulous new debut YA novels!
First up today is my friend and fellow Indelible author, S. R. Johannes with Untraceable (The Nature of Grace #1):
Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him. One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father. Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.


Now, if you haven't heard the news yet, Shelli got a great review from Kirkus. WOOT, WOOT!  And if you still aren't convinced, check out the praise from Kimberly Derting and follow Shelli for a bit.
"Grace is a spunky, independent, nature girl who doesn't need a boy to save her. With wilderness survival, a juicy love triangle, and more twists and turns than a roller coaster, this fast-paced novel had me holding my breath until the very last page—and still begging for more!" 

-Kimberly Derting, author of the The Body Finder series (Harper Teen) and The Pledge series (S&S)
Contact information:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/srjohannes

Check out Shelli's blog today -- she'll be giving away LOADS of books as part of her launch party (including Destined).

The next debut novel with a birthday today is Legend by Marie Lu:


What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.


So, are either of these books going into your TBR pile?

Advance Review: HUSHED by Kelley York

If you're looking for dark and edgy, look no further than Entangled Publishing's new upper YA thriller, HUSHED by Kelley York.  Coming December 6, 2011.  I thank Entangled for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her. 

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed. 

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is. 

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.



I was intrigued from the synopsis, but wasn't entirely sure what to expect going in.  I shouldn't have been confused. The book was every bit as dark as the synopsis led me to believe, and more.  The book opens with a scene where Archer is forcing one of the many people who harmed Vivian to write his own suicide note.  Opening line of the novel: 
“I feel that suicide notes lose their zing when they drag on too long.” 

Now just try to tell me that the line doesn't get your attention.  But here's what's really remarkable about the novel.  As much as we should hate Archer for being a murdering sociopath, we don't, because he's been hurt so badly, and is just doing what will help his best friend heal from her emotional wounds.  And I love that he's vulnerable, and shy, and was Vivian's perfect little abused puppy dog, always lagging at her heals no matter how many times she kicked him.  Bottom line, Archer was a real, three-dimensional character.

And then comes Evan.  Now, Archer has ALWAYS been in love with Vivian, but his feelings start to shift when Evan enters the picture.  The change is subtle and the way we see that relationship develop feels very real.  I admired how this wasn't an "issue" novel - certainly Archer's exploration into his sexuality wasn't the focus of the novel - and yet it was portrayed in an acceptable and positive light.  I really admired York's skill in making me root for Evan and Archer's budding relationship.

Finally, you shouldn't think that this novel is all touchy-feely Archer's relationships with Vivian and Evan.  People die. Quite a few people, actually.  The cops knock more than once on Archer's door.  And the tension is thick when Vivian starts coming unglued and demanding Archer pick her over Evan.  You won't want to stop turning the pages right to the very end, as you demand to know: will he get caught? will Vivian rat him out if she gets caught? what's going to happen to sweet Evan?

All will be answered in a satisfying, yet far-from-perfect ending.  

This is unquestionably an upper YA novel (not for those MG readers who "read up") and will appeal to adults as well.  But, you've got to be prepared for DARK themes and to look at homosexuality from an open-minded perspective.  Overall, I give the novel 4 Greek coins -- an OMG! rating.  I highly recommend it to anyone who is willing to embrace the twisted, yet hopeful, story HUSHED has to tell.

To get your own copy of HUSHED, check out Amazon or Barnes & Noble.


Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving



As my family gathers around the table to Thanksgiving, here are a few of the many blessings I will be counting:
1. An amazing husband
2. Two beautiful and independent daughters
3. Supportive and loving parents
4. Friends & family who give of themselves and their time
5. An amazing job
6. A cozy home I love 
7. Creative outlets
8. More than enough food on the table
9. The good fortune to be able to self-publish
10. All of you AMAZING people who have supported me and cheered for Destined!

I can only pray that 2012 will hold as many blessings in store for me & my family as 2011 has held. And from the bottom of my heart, I wish all of these blessings for you as well.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

New Author Blog Hop


This is a really exciting hop for me because I actually get to put myself out there as an AUTHOR.  Somebody pinch me!  I can't thank Saba at Of Thoughts and Words and Michelle at Oh! For the Love of Books enough for putting this hop together so that we newbie authors can get to meet each other and share our books with other book lovers.

So, for those who have come to get to know me and/or Destined better, here's the scoop:
* I majored in classical studies but somehow ended up as a lawyer
* I'm blessed with an amazing husband and two beautiful little girls
* Destined is my debut novel and is a YA retelling of the ancient myth of Cupid & Psyche

The back of the book description:

When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear. 

As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined. 

Destined is a fresh and heartachingly romantic retelling of the Cupid & Psyche myth from debut novelist, Jessie Harrell.



You can find it at any of these places:
Amazon (paperback) or (Kindle)
Book Depository
Barnes & Noble (Nook)
Goodreads
Smashwords

And there you have it -- that's me and my novel in a nutshell.  I can't wait to hop around and meet all the rest of you.

BONUS: If you leave me a comment (through the close of the hop on Nov. 30th), you'll be entered to win an e-copy of Destined.  Just be sure to leave me your e-mail address too so I know how to contact you!  Thanks for stopping by and happy hopping!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Happy Debut YA Book Birthday

I don't know about you all, but after all the fun and excitement I had last week, I could curl up and nap for about 2 days.  What?  You didn't celebrate the release of Destined like I did?  Oh well.  To each their own. For those of you looking to celebrate some new releases this week, check out these debut YA titles by my fellow Indelibles authors. CONGRATS, ladies!

YESTERDAY was the birthday for the print release of Clockwise by Elle Strauss
A teen time traveler accidentally takes her secret crush back in time. Awkward. Boy watching with her best friend would be enough excitement for fifteen year old Casey Donavan. She doesn't even mind life at the bottom of the Cambridge High social ladder, if only she didn't have this other much bigger problem. Unscheduled trips to the nineteenth century! When Casey gets talked into going to the Fall Dance, the unthinkable happens--she accidentally takes Nate Mackenzie, the cutest boy in the school, back in time. Protocol pressures her to tell their 1860 hosts that he is her brother and when Casey finds she has a handsome, wealthy (and unwanted) suitor, something changes in Nate. Are those romantic sparks or is it just 'brotherly' protectiveness? When they return to the present things go back to the way they were before: Casey at the bottom of the social totem pole and Nate practically the flag flying from the top. Except this time her heart is broken. Plus, her best friend is mad, her parents are split up, and her little brother gets escorted home by the police. The only thing that could make life worse is if, by some strange twist of fate, she took Nate back to the past again. Which, of course, she does.

FRIDAY is the debut of Tangled Tides (The Sea Monster Memoirs #1) by Karen Amanda Hooper
Yara Jones doesn't believe in sea monsters-until she becomes one.

When a hurricane hits her island home and she wakes up with fins, Yara finds herself tangled up in an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies. Both sides believe Yara can save them by fulfilling a broken promise and opening the sealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should be done. The selkies want to take her life. The merfolk want something far more precious.

Treygan, the stormy-eyed merman who turned Yara mer, will stop at nothing and sacrifice everything to protect his people-until he falls for Yara. The tides turn as Yara fights to save herself, hundreds of sea creatures, and the merman who has her heart. She could lose her soul in the process-or she might open the gateway to a love that's deeper than the oceans.

“...adventure, family secrets, and sizzling romance. I couldn't put it down!" ~Rae Carson, THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS

What say you? Will you be picking up either of these intriguing new Indie reads?

Thursday, November 17, 2011

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!

Today is way more than my birthday.  It's Destined's birthday.  You can now get Destined in paperback format from Amazon or download a copy from Amazon for Kindle, Barnes & Noble for Nook  or Smashwords. Hey - I just learned it's even available on Book Depository.  

Tonight I'm having a launch party at Jane Doe in Jacksonville and all are welcome!  I'll be signing books while sipping wine and enjoying the ambiance of the coolest boutique in Jacksonville.  I hope you'll join me if you're in the area.

Even if you're not, you can help me celebrate by joining in the blog tour -- today's stop is at Stuck in Books -- where you can enter to win an official Destined prize pack.  You can also check out some of the fabulous reviews Destined's been getting on Goodreads.  (Be sure to add it to your TBR list while you're there.)

But, I didn't think it was fair that someone else got to give you a present and I didn't.  SO, I'm having a book birthday giveaway here on my blog too.  You can win the ONLY doodled-in copy of Destined (this was too much work to do again), an autographed bookmark, and Psyche's butterfly ring as shown on the cover.  **Due to shipping costs, the giveaway is for the U.S. only**

I'll leave the giveaway open for one week -- that means I will pick a winner on Thanksgiving.  Good stuff, right?  You can tweet once a day for extra entries. THERE IS A RAFFLECOPTER FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST TO ENTER BUT YOU MUST BE IN THE POST AND NOT JUST ON THE BLOG. CLICK THE BLOG TITLE. SORRY ABOUT THAT.

In the meantime, all I want for my birthday is your comment... you don't even have to tell ME happy birthday as long as you pass your good wishes on for Destined.  :)

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Happy Debut YA Book Birthday

It's that time of year, when the world falls in love...

Oh wait, I meant, it's that time of week, when we share birthday love.
This week's happy debut YA book birthday wishes go out to:

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. 

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. 

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. 

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. 

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting asThe Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices,Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Oh, and then of course, there's Destined. But you all already know about that.  :)  OMG!! OMG!! SQUEE!!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

2012 Mythology Challenge

If you follow this blog, there's a "chance" you like books with mythology in them.  Am I right?  Well then, what could be better than a MYTHOLOGY CHALLENGE?
hop
I'm planning on participating in the challenge -- hosted by About to Read -- in which the only goal is to read 10 YA or MG novels that have some sort of mythology in them.  Could be Greek, Norse, Irish, Russian, you name it!  (Oh, and I'm pretty sure Destined qualifies...)

If you'd like to participate too, head on over to About to Read and sign up. 2012 is right around the corner. Might as well set an early New Year's Resolution!

Happy reading, everyone!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Inspiration for the New WIP

I got this idea on the 4 hour drive down to my mom's today and started furiously scribbling out pages of notes until motion sickness made me stop.  I am so excited to get started on a new project, but I wanted some inspiration pieces first.  So I trolled DeviantArt and came up with these:





Wondering if you can guess what my new WIP might be about??

Happy Launch Party Day!

 I know I already featured these three ladies and books on Tuesday, but I wanted to give an extra-special shout out to my Indeible friends, whose books all launch TODAY!  Happy book birthday, ladies!

Please be sure to drop by their blog -- Dark CARMA -- to learn more about these books.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Because it still makes me laugh...

Now the video -- despite being the funniest thing EVER -- has been banned for copyright reasons, but the clever composer (undaunted) has figured out a grainy way to post it. If you haven't seen this literal video yet (or even if you have), WATCH IT. Watch it to THE END. Some of the best lines are at the end.

You will laugh.

I promise.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

November Giveaway Hop

Hi and welcome to The Daily Harrell.  Today I'm participating in the Giveaway Hop hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Tristi Pinkston.  I wasn't sure I was up for another hop just after doing the Spooktacular Giveaway hop, but that badge is just too darn pretty.  I've become such a sucker for marketing...

Here's how this is going to work -- since the contest is International, I'm offering one YA book (up to $10 value) from the Book Depository.  So long they ship to your country, feel free to enter.  Alternatively -- it being in the middle of the Destined blog tour and all -- you can win an ARC of Destined.  If the winner is from the U.S., they can pick from a paper ARC or eARC.  International winner can select the eARC option only.
The only requirement is that you be a follower of this blog.  The contest will remain open until midnight EST on November 11th.

So there you have it.  Want to win a YA novel or an ARC of my YA novel?  Fill out the form and GOOD LUCK!  Then, be sure to hop along to the rest of the blogs for more chances to win fabulous prizes.


Happy Debut Book Birthday

Before I get into the birthday celebrations, you *may* know that my own debut YA novel will be celebrating it's birthday next week. [[OMG - breathe. Almost dies.]]  I just thought I'd let those of you in the NW Florida region know that I will be appearing on NPR on November 16th in the 9 o'clock hour and on WJXT on the weekend of November 19th.  [[Dies for real this time.]] The launch party is at Jane Doe in 5 Points from 6-8 pm on November 17th -- all are welcome!  I have cupcakes!!

Plus, the Destined blog tour is still on-going.  I'm giving away eARCs every day of the tour and there are chances to win paper copies of the novel and Destined prize packs along the way.  Check out the tour schedule to get in on the action.

And now, without further ado about me and my book, I present this week's debut YA book birthdays ~

Exiled by RaShelle Workman
Stubborn, sixteen-year-old Princess Venus of Kelari wants one thing, to become immortal, that is, until someone exiles her to Earth, kills her irrihunter and takes her family.

Now she wants revenge. 

First she’s got to get home. But before she can return to Kelari, the Gods have commanded her to help an arrogant boy named Michael find his soul mate.

Only she doesn't know the first thing about love. 

Rather quickly, her inexperience with human emotion is obscured by other matters—alien-controlled psychotic teens that are out to kill her, and a government group that is set on capturing and dissecting her.

Worst of all, Venus will suffer a painful death-by-poisoning, thanks to Earth’s atmosphere, if she remains on the planet longer than one week.

Still, Venus is a Princess and she's got a plan. Surely, with her help, Michael will fall in love with a human.

But time is running out and Michael is falling for the wrong girl—her.


Become: a novel of Desolation by Ali Cross

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared. When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.


Bound (The Crystor) by C.K. Bryant
When a photo shoot ends in tragedy, Kira discovers her best friend, Lydia, has been keeping a secret. Knowing the truth, and accepting it, will change Kira’s life forever and thrust her into a world of ancient curses, magical objects, and savage enemies. What happens next will challenge everything Kira knows about her world, herself and the shape-shifting warrior she’s falling in love with. No longer the timid mouse her mother accused her of being, but a woman who finds the mental and physical strength to endure and survive.

BOUND is a heroic tale of true friendship, infinite sacrifice and untamed love.

Catspell (The Fairy Godmother Dilemma) by Danielle Lefty
Sixteen-year-old Breena never thought anything could be worse than being forced to leave the faerie realm. Then she got stuck with a fairy godmother. But if she has to choose between the two, she’d leave the Faerie Realm over getting bossed about by a faerie with a pointed stick any day. Unfortunately, her attempt to evade her fairy godmother gives her growing pains in the form of fur, whiskers, and a tail.

Turning into a cat is the least of her worries, though. The potion wasn’t meant to bring out her inner feline, it was meant to put her to sleep. Forever. If Breena wants to make it to her Happily Ever After, she’ll have to accept that sometimes a fairy godmother really does come in handy, after all.


Sparks: The Epic, Completely True Blue, (Almost) Holy Quest of Debbie  by S.J. Adams

Do you feel lost? Confused? Alone? (Circle one): Yes or No.
The Church of Blue can help. We are not a cult.
$5 for a holy quest is a good deal.

Since sixth grade, Debbie Woodlawn has nursed a secret, heart-searing crush on her best friend, Lisa. But all those years of pretending to enjoy Full House reruns and abstinence rallies with Lisa go down the drain when her friend hooks up with Norman, the most boring guy at school. This earth-shattering event makes Debbie decide to do the unthinkable: confess her love to Lisa. And she has to do it tonight—before Lisa and Norman go past “the point of no return.”
So Debbie embarks on a quest to find Lisa. Guiding the quest are fellow students/detention hall crashers Emma and Tim, the founding (and only) members of the wacky Church of Blue. Three chases, three declarations of love, two heartbreaks, a break-in, and five dollars worth of gas later, Debbie has been fully initiated into Bluedaism—but is there time left to stop Lisa and Norman from going too far?

What do you think?  The first four are all debuts from the exciting new group of Indie authors known as Indelibles (a group which I am fortunate to be part of).  Any of these pique your interest???

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Rocking the Blog Tour



The blog tour for DESTINED kicked off on November 1 and I just got to pick the first eARC winner from the stop at Once Upon a Twilight -- congrats to Zoey!!

You can still enter the contest happening at Books with Bite (I'll pick a winner at 8 am tomorrow) and the contest on Lauren Hammond's blog -- Living in Literary La La Land -- starts today and runs for the next 48 hours.

I just loving giving away copies of my novel.  It makes me all warm and squishy inside.  There will be chances to win an eARC every day on the blog tour. For the full schedule, click here.  And I happen to know that Nikki Katz will be offering up a signed ARC of Destined on her blog come Sunday.

There will be lots more chances to win paper ARCs and Destined prize packs during the tour, so be sure to stop in daily.  Thanks everyone!  Oh, and don't forget to add Destined to your TBR pile on Goodreads!  I'm trying to hit 2500 unique readers by launch day on November 17th.  Will you help me get there?