Read a Book -- Help Endangered Species!

Today I'm honored to be hosting Heather McCorkle and her novel, The Secret of Spruce Knoll.  A special edition of Heather’s The Secret Of Spruce Knoll is releasing from Compass Press this month and she’s doing a special tour to go along with it. The special part, a percentage of the proceeds from every special edition sold (in every format) between its release date and 12-12-2012, will go toward Heather’s favorite charity that protects endangered species. Her goal is to make at least $10,000 for the charity.


Here's what you need to know about the novel:

Following the death of her parents, Eren Donovan moves to Spruce Knoll to live with an aunt she’s never met. Little does Eren know, the entire population are channelers—magical people who immigrated there when they were driven out of their homelands. Channelers are tied to the fate of the world, and as it slowly dies, they are going extinct—and they alone have the power to save the earth. Soon, Eren learns she not only lives among them, but she is one. When she meets local boy Aiden, his charm convinces her that being a channeler may not be all bad though.

As Eren and Aiden’s relationship develops, so too does a mystery in Spruce Knoll. The town holds many secrets—and many dangers. It soon becomes apparent that the untimely death of Eren’s parents was no accident and that her life might be in danger too. Only time will tell if Eren can embrace her unwanted power and protect the only family she has left.

So, I'm sure you're salivating now already, but if that description alone doesn't make you want to read it, there's free stuff involved too! That's right, there are prizes during the tour, which goes from December 1^st through the 17^th. Prizes include a symbolic endangered species adoption of the winner’s choice (a $50 donation by Heather to the charity for the endangered species of the winner’s choice, and cute stuffed animal for the winner!), signed copies of her novels and great swag. For full details, and to enter, go here.

BONUS: For the tour Heather has asked each blog host to pick their favorite endangered species and she will tell us a fun or interesting fact about that animal. I picked the dolphin, cause they're the coolest.  And here's the very interesting fact ~ 

As a highly intelligent marine mammal that loves to play and socialize, dolphins share a lot in common with people. The name dolphin literally means a fish with a womb~though of course they aren’t really fish, but whose to argue with the ancient Greeks who named them?!

To get your copy of The Secret of Spruce Knoll, click the links below:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Now, can you think of a better gift for that special someone on your list??

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.

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:

Email: shelli@srjohannes.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/srjohannes

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SRJohannes/249888602550

Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/srjohannes

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5235537.S_R_Johannes

Book Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12731861-untraceable

Blog: http://faeriality.blogspot.com/

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.

Happy Thanksgiving

Kariann Photography

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.