BLOG TOUR - The Queen B* and the Homecoming King by Crista McHugh (Review & Giveaway)

The Queen B* And the Homecoming King 

by Crista McHugh

Series: Queen B* #3

Genre: YA Contemporary

Date of Publication: December 1, 2015

Blurb:

The Queen B*, Alexis Wyndham, has only three rules when it comes to dating that star quarterback, Brett Pederson:

1) No obligations to spend every waking moment with each other.

2) No public displays of affection while at Eastline High.

3) And absolutely, under no circumstances, will she ever go to the Homecoming dance.

But as her life is completely upended time and time again, she begins to wonder if some rules are meant to be broken.

I'd never greeted a Monday morning with dozens of giddy butterflies in my stomach. Usually, I reserved my most dramatic sighs and biting comments for Mondays because—let's face it—they suck. But this Monday morning was different.

I, Alexis Wyndham, was officially Brett Pederson's girlfriend.

But I still wasn't ready to announce that to the world.

As we floated in a canoe among the water lilies in Lake Washington yesterday, I lay down a few ground rules to help me ease into this unprecedented (and unimaginable) situation. After all, it's not every day the Queen B* and the Quarterback become a couple. Dropping that bomb on our classmates could cause a rift in the space-time continuum.

Or at least cause my nemesis, Summer Hoyt, to have one very public and dramatic meltdown.

Rule number one: I refused to be one of those disgustingly cute couples that were joined at the hip between classes. We were dating, not merging our lives and identities into a single life-form. Brett had his group of friends and I had mine, and until recently, they never intertwined because I despised most of the in-crowd. If I hadn't gotten to know the real Brett during a class project, I would've continued to write him off as a dumb jock.

Lesson learned, but still…

Rule number two: no public displays of affection at school. Not that I had any problem with PDAs with Brett. I liked kissing him. But I also had been known to lose control when I was with him…and lose articles of clothing. And after having that awkward run-in with my mom and her boyfriend's PDA on our living room couch last week, I'd rather not make a spectacle of myself in front of everyone. It opened up the doors to ridicule.

Rule number three: I wouldn't go to Homecoming with Brett. I'd made it this far through high school without plunging into that cheesy sea of balloons and crepe paper while wearing a silly sequin-laden dress, and I wasn't going to cross that line during my senior year.

Buy Links:

Amazon (Kindle) / Barnes & Noble

About Crista McHugh:

Crista McHugh is an award-winning author of fantasy and romance who writes heroines who are smart, sexy and anything but ordinary. She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends. 

She is an active member of the Romance Writers of America (including the Greater Seattle Chapter and the Seattle Eastside Chapters), and Romance Divas. 

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she's had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant. 

And she's also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days) 

Find Crista McHugh Online:

Website / Goodreads / Amazon / Facebook / Twitter

4/5

It's not over is it?? I don't want it to be over! I am enjoying this series so much, I just want it to keep going. Alexis really is a fantastic character. She has come a long way since book one and I loved watching her grown and learn to let Brett in. They make an awesome couple and even though they still have obstacles to overcome, they come out stronger than ever.

Another thing I really like about this series though is how it doesn't just focus on the realtionship between Alexis and Brett. There are so many secondary stories going on that I was never bored. McHugh explores so many different topics and tackles them all brilliantly. The series as a whole deals with all the highs and lows of teenage life in a very realistic way.

I really hope there will be more books. I'm not ready for this series to be over yet. A definite must read!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

RELEASE DAY BLITZ - Sweet Bliss by Helena Rac (Excerpt & Giveaway)

It's release day for Sweet Bliss by Helena Rac! I'm so excited to share this fantastic new release! Helena is sharing an excerpt and giveaway, so be sure to check it all out!!

Blurb:

From debut author Helena Rac, a sassy, sexy comic tale of second-chance romance and the many uses of icing.

Tessa loves cupcakes. They’re tasty and comforting, and they’ve made her bakery a success. Men, on the other hand, are unreliable jerks who are bound to break her heart. Even if they’re hot enough to melt her frosting.

Tessa is smitten with Luke after a less than graceful encounter on the streets of Chicago, and fate keeps reuniting them. She’s certain he’d be delicious in bed, but there’s just one problem: Tessa’s sworn off long-distance romances, and Luke lives in London. Besides, he’s proven himself to be bad news. Although Tessa’s sexy stranger swears to set aside his player ways after she carries out sweet revenge, she’s far too smart to believe in happily-ever-afters. Luke will need to use every weapon in his arsenal – including a spatula or two – to convince Tessa they’re meant to be together.

Buy Links:

eBook 

Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Nook | Kobo | Apple | Google Play 

Paperback

Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Barnes & Noble |Chapters/Indigo     

“So, you’re looking forward to the week, then?” I ask expectantly, while the palm of my hand gently rubs the zipper-tight area of his pants. God, he’s so hard. I remind myself to not focus too much on what exactly I’m doing. Except thanks to the way his cock twitches ever so slightly every time I rub, I have trouble putting together a coherent thought. My thoughts are like a broken record, stuck on repeat. Giant cock … giant cock … giant cock…

“Very much so,” he replies, the “so” stretching into a hissing sound. His eyes connect with mine, and I see the intensity that’s behind them. It’s like he’s thinking of not only what I’m doing to him right now, but also what he did to me in the movie theater. And, perhaps, what he’d like to do to me again? Yes please. What? No no no. Focus.

His gaze is intimidating, nonetheless. It’s as if he’s undressing me with his stare. I suddenly feel exposed, flushed. I squeeze my thighs in response as warm tension builds deep in my belly. I’m reminded of the way his fingers made me feel, and I long for them to make me feel that way right now.

Stirred by the thoughts that are heightening my arousal, I up the intensity and massage the firmness in his pants. He grows harder as he pulsates beneath my palm. I’m rewarded with a low growl, one that is audible only to me, given the buzz of the voices around us. God, that sound is so sexy. I need more of it; I want more of it. I want it loud.

I can’t even remember what I asked or where our conversation was, I’m so caught up in our game. I’ve forgotten what the point of Step Three was to begin with. But a sudden laugh from the table brings me back from the land of giant cock. I take a quick look around and am glad to see that everyone is immersed in their chatter and not focused on us. Thank god. That was too close, and I’ve got a plan to stick to.

“To things to look forward to, then!” I pull my hand away and take a sip of wine to hide the fact that my cheeks are blushing from the little preview that just played out so flawlessly. Luke stares at me with a stunned, almost pained expression on his face, like he’s confused and not quite ready for our game to end. Oh, the game has just begun, Mr. Callaghan. 

Helena Rac Bio: 
Life is sweeter with cupcakes. And romance novels. That’s why Helena Rac writes contemporary romances about sassy, everyday heroines and swoon-worthy heroes – stories that warm your heart, put a smile on your face, and make you fall in love. When she’s not writing, Helena loves spending time with her two lovely girls and her incredibly supportive husband. She plays accountant by day; enjoys cooking, traveling, and exploring the outdoors; and reads way past her bedtime. Visit Helena at HelenaRac.com. 

Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

BOOK BLITZ - The Truth Spell by Anita Oh (Excerpt & Giveaway) @anitaoho

The Truth Spell (Werewolf High #1)

by Anita Oh

Release Date: Nov 2015

Summary from Goodreads:

As soon as I stepped onto the grounds of Amaris High, I knew I'd made a big mistake. I could never fit in at such a snobbish school – I was more IT girl than "it girl". But then I saw him.

Sam Spencer. My childhood best friend. But it couldn't be. Sam Spencer had died three years ago, on the night that changed everything. I need to know what happened, why he's suddenly not dead and is hanging out with a bunch of rich kids.

When the school is hit by a truth spell, it seems like the perfect chance to find out what Sam and his creepy new friends are hiding, but the weirder things get, the less I'm sure I want to know. Even for Sam, even for the free food, Amaris High might be more trouble than it's worth.

Add to Goodreads

The Truth Spell is now on sale for $0.99 on Amazon!

The water danced in the fountain, and between beams of refracted light, they appeared.

There were four of them.  Even in silhouette they were impressive – the girl with long, straight hair and just the right amount of curves; the boys tall and broad-shouldered.  They emitted charisma like a beacon, confident and untouchable.  One of the boys turned to another and his eyes flashed in the sunlight.

He had an ethereal type of beauty, but there was an edge to it, a wildness.  Rather than moonlight, he seemed formed from a supernova, from the chaos of total destruction, and I could well believe that if you got too close to him, you’d be pulled in, you’d collapse on yourself.

As he turned, I caught a glimpse of the boy standing behind him.

But it couldn’t be.

It looked like him, with his floppy brown hair and puppy dog eyes, and smile so bright it could melt icecaps.  But it couldn’t be.  It couldn’t be Sam Spencer, because he had died three years ago, on the night that had changed everything.

But then, why was he standing right in front of me? 

About the Author

After several years in the warm, comforting cocoon of fandom, Anita has decided to see what's up with this real world she's heard about.  Judgment is reserved until more information can be gathered.

Anita likes dogs, naps, food, and Japanese idol group Arashi.  Everything else can be improved when combined with these four things.

Anita lives with a grumpy beagle who bosses her around terribly, and won't even snuggle.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

RELEASE DAY BLITZ - The Blood Scion (Scion Legacy #1) by Nazarea Andrews

Today we are celebrating the release of THE BLOOD SCION by Nazarea Andrews. It is the beginning of a brand new paranormal series from Nazarea, The Scion Legacy. Don't miss picking up The Scionless House, a novella in the series, because it is FREE!

Click here to add THE BLOOD SCION to Goodreads

THE BLOOD SCION Blurb:

I was just a reporter, trying to stay ahead of my student loans. I knew the rules, and I followed them. 

I thought I knew how the world worked—humans lived their petty little lives in the safety of the sun. We loved and fought and—when the sun sank—we scurried behind our walls and lived in fear. That is when the monsters came out to play. 

And even in the safety of the sun, we knew who ruled us. 

The Houses. And their Scions. 

Everyone knows the great Houses and their Scions—they are feared and loved and hated and envied. They are the gods who walk the shadows and rule all of our lives. They are salvation and death. 

And somehow, I am one of them.

PURCHASE THE BLOOD SCION 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

THE PREQUEL NOVELLA

Click here to add THE SCIONLESS HOUSE to Goodreads

THE SCIONLESS HOUSE Blurb:

Twelve Houses. Twelve vampire lines. We ruled from the shadows, and manipulated the world, and when humans came too close to destruction, we intervened. Every House has a Scion. A fragile, easily broken human that stood shoulder to shoulder with the house Princes and Princesses. Except for ours. The Ravens, House Cantelie. We've been without a Scion for almost fifteen years. But that will change...and her life will be mine to protect. 

Get THE SCIONLESS HOUSE for FREE!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

     

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nazarea Andrews (N to almost everyone) is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. Which means she writes everything from zombies and dystopia to contemporary love stories. When not writing, she can most often be found driving her kids to practice and burning dinner while she reads, or binging watching TV shows on Netflix. N loves chocolate, wine, and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, spoiled cat and overgrown dog. She is the author of World Without End series, Neverland Found, Edge of the Falls, and The University of Branton Series. Stop by her twitter (@NazareaAndrews) and tell her what fantastic book she should read next. 

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Street Team

Sign up for Nazarea's Newsletter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

COVER REVEAL - Royal Marriage Market by Heather Lyons @hymheather @InkSlingerPR

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Cover Reveal for Heather Lyons’ ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET! Releasing December 15, 2015, ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET is a brand new standalone contemporary romance by Heather Lyons. Be sure you preorder your copy today!

   

Cover created by Daniela Conde Padron at DCP Designs.

Pre-Order ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET Today!

iBooks ** Amazon ** Kobo

Add to your Goodreads

About ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET:

Every decade, the world’s monarchs and their heirs secretly convene to discuss global politics and social issues—and arrange marriages between kingdoms.

Elsa may be the Hereditary Princess of Vattenguldia, but she finds the entire situation archaic and unsavory. While she wants what's best for her country, she isn't about to jump into an unwanted relationship—let alone a marriage—with a virtual stranger. Of course, her feelings matter little to her parents, whose wheeling and dealings over trade pacts and alliances achieved at her expense begin the moment they set foot in California for the Summit. So when a blindingly handsome royal runs into her, she doesn't hesitate to tell him there's no way she's marrying him.

Christian is all too happy to agree: no marriage. As the Hereditary Grand Duke of Aiboland, his main goal is to get through the summit without a bride being foisted on him. Which is why he suggests they help each other field potential intendeds. As Christian slowly gets to know Elsa, though, he realizes they have a lot more in common than just their feelings about the Royal Marriage Market. Only he can't fall for her, because royal or not, they're not meant for each other. 

Elsa and Christian will have to evaluate matters of the heart verses those of state and crown, and decide whether or not tradition trumps love. 

“You go by Chris?”

             “It’s an acceptable nickname for Christian.” The owner of the name snatches his glass of champagne back, chugging the rest of the drink. Naturally, this promptly sets off another round of coughing.

            Parker is now the one to smack Christian’s back, and I am grateful because I most certainly do not need to be touching him again, even if in a life-saving gesture.

“Maybe so,” I murmur as Christian, rapidly turning redder from what surely must be embarrassment more than alcohol down the wrong pipe, shoves his friend’s hand away. “But it doesn’t fit.”

“If I might be so bold to ask, Your Highness, how so?” Parker inquires at the same time Christian wheezes, “What does that mean?”

            I side skirt the men to claim a chocolate covered strawberry from the dessert table. “Chris is a boring name.”

            “I believe you’ve just issued an unforgiveable insult to all the Chrises in the world,” Christian says flatly while Parker struggles to hold in his mirth.

            “Of course I haven’t. I simply said Chris is a boring name. Look at Elsa; it is a hopelessly old-fashioned name you find in old women who bake streusel. My parents aged me the moment I came out of the womb.” I point the zebra-striped berry at my sparring partner. “Now that is unforgiveable. You were given a nice name and have elected to make it boring when it doesn’t suit you one bit.”

            Too much silence expands between us; I am tricked into looking up at him once more. One of his dark eyebrows arches upward. “Are you saying you don’t find me boring?”

            Did I? Oh, bollocks. I did, didn’t I? I clear my throat and smile winsomely. “Just because I don’t wish to marry you doesn’t mean I find you boring as a bag of rocks.”

            Both of his eyebrows shoot up, as if I informed him grass is blue and sky is green. As if he doesn’t already know he’s interesting. Please. Must I remind him of all the glossies dedicated to his comings and goings?

“When we were children, His Highness was teased quite a bit about his name,” Parker tells me.

            I toss the strawberry stem back onto the table; it’s whisked up by a passing waiter in less than a second. “What! Why?”

            “I’m named after a religion,” Christian grinds out. “There was Prince Jew. Prince Muslim. Prince Buddhist. Prince Hindu. Prince Zoroastrian. There were lots of choices, you see.”

            Another moment I want nothing more than to just laugh and laugh. “How delightful. Now, those nicknames aren’t boring. Sacrilegious, yes, but definitely not boring.”

            “You have a seed in your front teeth,” is Christian’s response.

            “You are a veritable Prince Charming, publically pointing out women’s flaws. How chivalrous of you.”

It is annoying how much I like that he refuses to appear properly chastised.

About Heather Lyons:

Heather Lyons writes epic, heartfelt love stories and has always had a thing for words. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. She and her husband and children live in sunny Southern California and are currently working their way through every cupcakery she can find.

Links:
Website | Author Goodreads | ROYAL MARRIAGE MARKET Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY - Runaway Heart by Sonya Loveday and Candace Knoebel

Releases on December 21, 2015

Pre-Order on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1OelotW

Add it on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1ONHlDe

One Hurricane. Two Strangers. No Rules. 

Hannah Adamson was immune to relationships. Swearing men off long ago, she buried her painful reasons under her feisty independence and a passion for roller derby. Until she met Ed and was swept away by the tall, witty, sarcastically sexy best man who might just be the one to have the antidote for her runaway heart. 

Ed Alcott wasn’t looking for love, especially not after a particularly nasty breakup left him with a shattered heart in desperate need of repair. 

Taking shelter together when a hurricane bears down on Rum Cay, Hannah and Ed find they can't fight their growing attraction. It was supposed to be simple. Easy. A weekend of passion with no strings. But how do you forget the one who stripped away all your layers, and haunts your dreams? 

Can Hannah keep the scattered pieces of her heart in check, or will the promise of Ed’s love be enough to mend them back together?

About the Authors

Sonya Loveday, first and foremost is a reader, an avid one. It is of that love that brought her to purchasing her first laptop in 2009, and publishing her first novel, Casted, in 2013. In early 2014, Sonya expanded Casted and then went on to publish Spelled, the sequel to Casted in March, wrapping up the series, and her stint with Paranormal Romance. For now. Not long after the completion to the Casted Series, Sonya tried her hand at Contemporary Romance. Thusly, The Six Series was born with The Summer I Fell, which released at the end of July 2014. To date, Sonya lives in Central Florida with her husband, and two kids, and is currently working several projects to be announced in the upcoming months. 

Author Links:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sonyalovedayauthor 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sonyaloveday 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sonyaloveday/ 
Website: www.sonyaloveday.com 
Email: sonya.loveday@gmail.com 
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7060433.Sonya_Loveday


Candace Knoebel is the award-winning author of Born in Flames-book one in a young adult fantasy trilogy. She discovered in 2009 through lunch breaks and late nights after putting her kids to bed, a world where she could escape the ever-pressing days of an eight to five Purgatory. And an outlet for all the voices residing in her head. Published by 48fourteen in 2012, Born in Flames went on to win Turning the Pages Book of the Year award in February of 2013. In January of 2014, the last book in the trilogy, From the Embers, was released, thusly completing the trilogy. She now works on the Night Watchmen Series, while guzzling Red Bulls and pretending to be a ninja on Heelys. 

Author Links:
Website: https://www.candaceknoebel.com 
Blog: http://candaceknoebel.wordpress.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CandaceKnoebel 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/candaceknoebel 
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6458922.Candace_Knoebel 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

COVER REVEAL - Across the Divide (Collector #3) by Stacey Marie Brown

Releases on December 9, 2015

Special $2.99 Pre-Order on iBooks: http://apple.co/1S25y6o

Pre-Order on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WXxbEe

Add on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1KlJAKm

Blurb:

The hunter is now the hunted.

Zoey Daniels is becoming the very thing she once despised. Fae.

After Zoey and Ryker finally found their way to each other they are torn apart by an ex-girlfriend, a stone, and mortality. Ryker’s powers have fully adapted to Zoey, slowly killing him.

Now the mysterious feared demon, Vadik, has discovered their location in Peru and has taken Ryker and sold Zoey back to DMG. The very place which gave her life now might take it away. Or someone she loves… Dr. Rapava is so obsessed with building an army against the fae he will do anything to control Zoey and her new found powers.

Zoey’s has to become an unfeeling brainwashed soldier to survive. But when her survival depends on torturing one to keep another alive, she is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Haven't started reading the Collector's series yet?  Start with City In Embers!

On sale for 99¢ on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1CuVS00

On sale for 99¢ on iBooks: http://apple.co/1zVbgmq

On sale for 99¢ on Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1OcjoSY

Blurb:

Zoey Daniels has been tossed from foster home to foster home, where she grows up fast and tough. When she is placed in her “last-chance” home, she finds a reason to stay and turn her life around: her foster sister, Lexie, who is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. Zoey will do anything to keep her safe.

After high school, Zoey is hired by a special government agency, the Department of Molecular Genetics (DMG), where she meets the other reason to remain: Daniel, her co-worker. The man she loves.

But there is something unique about Zoey. She can see fae. Because of this, the DMG hires her to work as a Collector: catching, researching, testing, and using the fae to save human lives. The work never registers on her sympathy radar. She was raised to think of fae as beasts that feed on humans and want to destroy them.

When devastation hits Seattle, Zoey's whole world is turned upside down. The electric storm connects her to a ruthless fae, a Wanderer named Ryker, whose dealings expose them to even more trouble and danger. They embark on a journey, running and hiding from both the government and fae, both of which threaten their lives and those they love.

About Stacey Marie Brown

Stacey Marie Brown is a lover of hot fictional bad boys and sarcastic heroines who kick butt. She also enjoys books, travel, TV shows, hiking, writing, design, and archery. Stacey swears she is part gypsy, being lucky enough to live and travel all over the world.

She grew up in Northern California, where she ran around on her family's farm, raising animals, riding horses, playing flashlight tag, and turning hay bales into cool forts. She volunteers helping animals and is eco-friendly. She feels all animals, people, and environment should be treated kindly.

Links:

Website   Facebook   Twitter