Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY — Waiting for the Storm by Marie Landry

Today we are excited to participate in the blog tour for Waiting for the Storm by Marie Landry.  Waiting for the Storm is a young adult contemporary romance.  It was released on April 9, 2013.

About the Book

Waiting for the Storm by Marie Landry
Publication date: April 9th 2013
Genre: YA Contemporary

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Charlotte O’Dell knows this summer is going to suck. Her mother just died, her sister hates her, and her dad has completely checked out. Fulfilling her mother’s final wish, the family heads to Angel Island for the summer to stay in a beach house her mother once loved.

After a year of being shut away taking care of her mother, Charlotte is numb and practically afraid of her own shadow; she hopes going to the island will give her the time and space she needs to begin healing, and an opportunity to bring her family back together. When she meets her mysterious neighbor, Ezra, it doesn’t take long for Charlotte to confess the issues she’s developed. Ezra begins giving Charlotte assignments to get over her fears, and although she accepts his tasks, all she really wants is to be with him. When she’s with Ezra, she’s able to forget the hollow ache in her heart and the fact that her family is falling apart. But Ezra has secrets…

Can Charlotte pull what’s left of her family together, mend her broken heart, and allow herself to fall for Ezra? Or is it all just a storm waiting to happen?

Buy Waiting for the Storm from Amazon

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My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book.  It wasn’t a loud, boisterous novel that demands your attention.  No, it was a quiet thing that snuck up on  you.  And snuck up on me it did!  I found myself wondering how I lucked out on reading something so beautiful!  Had it not been for this tour, I may never have come across this book, and that makes me really sad.

That being said, I am a sucker for ‘tough issues’ and ’emotionally charged’ books.  There is something so cathartic and empowering about reading about others dealing with things like death, mental illness, anxiety, suicide, loss, etc.  Empowering because you start to realize that you aren’t alone in the issues that you face.  You aren’t the only one who feels misunderstood, lonely, and ‘it’s just me against the world’.  I know a lot of people enjoy books, because they want to escape, but I think books help me deal with my own emotions, just as much as they help entertain me.  And that is why I LOVE when a book like this one gets it right.

Grief is a powerful emotion, one that is really hard to accurately write into a story like this.  It is easy for characters to seem one-dimensional when dealing with grief and entering into a new relationship.  But Charlotte became so real that I completely felt every emotion she had.  That takes an insane talent, and Marie definitely has it.

The book was a great balance of dealing with death and loss and family and all those details of learning to move on as well as first love.  Charlotte and Ezra were sweet and it was impossible to not want them to end up together.  The two had chemistry, but it wasn’t an instant head-over-heels love.  The two bonded over their pasts and the hardships they had to face.  And Charlotte spent a lot of time on her own things — this was a great quality of the book!  So many couples in books get wrapped up in each other so quickly, so it was nice to see her becoming independent as she healed.  She needed all of those experiences to grieve and grow, and it was definitely something I appreciated.

I felt deep in my heart for Charlotte and all that she had to give up in order to take care of her family.  It really speaks volumes about her, as well as giving her depth and likability.  I loved the combativeness between Ella and Charlotte, as well as the disheveled depression of her father.  Showing each character taking the death in such a different way was real and raw.  This book wasn’t about gleaming perfections, but about real life.

Of course, I LOVED that Char (can I call her Char?  I feel like I know her so well!) was a book lover and a book BLOGGER!  Hello, what a cute thing to add into the story.  One of my favorite quotes from the book was about reading:

Sometimes, if you’re lucky, a book will change you. It will make you look at the world a little differently, hold your loved ones a little closer, and realize that when love is standing in front of you and staring you in the face, you have to grab it with both hands and hold on tight.

The writing was incredible and the story was so well done that it made me want to read other books by Marie Landry.  She really delivered something that balances perfectly between emotionally charged and sweet romance.  If you like contemporary and romance, this is a book you MUST pick up.

Overall: Four out of five

About the Author

Marie Landry is the author of BLUE SKY DAYS (contemporary YA—January 2012), UNDRESSED (a collection of short erotic romance stories—October 2012), THE GAME CHANGER (chick lit—November 2012), and WAITING FOR THE STORM (contemporary YA—April 2013). Marie has always been a daydreamer; since early childhood, she’s had a passion for words and a desire to create imaginary worlds, so it only seemed natural for her to become a writer. She resides in Ontario, Canada, and most days you can find her writing, reading, blogging about writing and reading, listening to U2, or having grand adventures with her two precious nephews. For more on Marie and her books, please visit marielandry.blogspot.ca, her profile on Goodreads, or check out her book blog Ramblings of a Daydreamer (sweetmarie-83.blogspot.ca).

Connect with Marie

Now comes the fun part!  Today’s giveaway is an individual e-book copy of Waiting for the Storm, thanks to the author exclusive to my blog.  Please be sure to complete each item on the list BEFORE you click it, as they will be checked prior to giving out the prizes.  Good luck!

Click HERE to win a copy of Waiting for the Storm(ebook)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

My contest will run July 31 through August 23 (12 a.m. Eastern Time).  There is no purchase necessary and the contest is void where prohibited.  Open to & US/Int!  A big thanks to Marie Landry and Xpresso Book Tours for this gift!  

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Check out more of the tour 

This promotional post is affiliated with Xpresso Book Tours

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

Waiting on Wednesday weekly event that spotlights upcoming-releases that bloggers are most excited about.  This week’s I-can’t-wait book is: Infinite by Jodi Meadows.  Infinite, the third and finale book in the Incarnate trilogy, will be released on January 28, 2014 by Katherine Tegen Books.

About the Book

DESTRUCTION
The Year of Souls begins with an earthquake—an alarming rumble from deep within the earth—and it’s only the first of greater dangers to come. The Range caldera is preparing to erupt. Ana knows that as Soul Night approaches, everything near Heart will be at risk.

FLIGHT
Ana’s exile is frightening, but it may also be fortuitous, especially if she can convince her friends to flee Heart and Range with her. They’ll go north, seeking answers and allies to stop Janan’s ascension. And with any luck, the newsouls will be safe from harm’s reach.

CHOICE
The oldsouls might have forgotten the choice they made to give themselves limitless lifetimes, but Ana knows the true cost of reincarnation. What she doesn’t know is whether she’ll have the chance to finish this one sweet life with Sam, especially if she returns to Heart to stop Janan once and for all.

With gorgeous romance and thrilling action, the final book in the Incarnate trilogy offers a brilliant conclusion to the compelling questions of this fascinating world, where one new girl is the key to the lives of millions. (From Goodreads.com)

Why I’m Waiting

When I first saw the cover for Incarnate, I was absolutely in love with it!  I finally got my hands on the book at the beginning of the year.  I was so connected with Ana, that I was crying for her within the first few pages.  I had never read a book about reincarnation and it was such a unique book from others I had been reading.  Now that I’ve read a few others, I still stick by my first claim.  This story is rich in depth and layers and isn’t like anything else I’ve read!   I flew through Incarnate and Asunder and have ever since been pining for this book.  This series by far has three of the most gorgeous covers!  I am so, so glad that the story is just as beautiful and cannot wait to see how everything ends!

*Side Note*  While researching for this post, I found out that there is a novella being released September 3 about Sam!  Jodi revealed the cover on her blog on July 25th, so this was lucky timing.  Here’s a look at yet ANOTHER gorgeous cover.

Learn more about the novella here!

About the Author

The official stuff:

Jodi Meadows lives and writes in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, with her husband, a Kippy*, and an alarming number of ferrets. She is a confessed book addict, and has wanted to be a writer ever since she decided against becoming an astronaut.

*A Kippy is a cat.

The unofficial stuff:

Like many writers, I’ve always wanted to do this professionally. You know, after I decided against being an astronaut.

Unlike many writers, I didn’t skip straight from picture books to adult novels. I have fond memories of going to Bookstop every month for the latest Baby-Sitters Club (which I kept reading, even after I realized they were never going to let the paranormal elements be real), and even fonder memories of hanging out in my middle school library. The librarians probably knew exactly what they were doing when they suggested book after book and discussed them with me at length. I, of course, had no clue they were turning me into a book addict, but it worked out for the best. Once I found the books where magic and other fantastic elements were real, I was hooked.

Connect with Jodi

  

Buy the Books

Phoenix Overture: An Incarnate Novella (HarperTeen Impulse)

Infinite

So, what book are YOU waiting for this week?

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

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Book Blast — Snake in the Grass by Staci Hart

Today we are excited to participate in the book blast for Staci Hart’s Snake in the Grass!  Snake in the Grass, the sequel to Deer in Headlights, is the second book in the Good Gods series.

About the Book

Title: Snake in the Grass (Good Gods #2)
Author:  Staci Hart
Publish Date:  7/30/2013
Published By:  Promise Socks Publishing
Genre:  18+ Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance

Book Synopsis:

It’s Round Two of high stakes Love Connection on Olympus, and this time, everything has changed. For Aphrodite, at least.

Ares is on deck, and Aphrodite is nervous. As much as she loves to hook up with him, she doesn’t trust him as far as she could throw him, which isn’t very far. He’s a big dude. They haven’t been together in a very long time, but she can’t resist him. She never could. Even when every part of her screamed that he was a liar.

He has a plan to keep Aphrodite, for good this time. He wants to win the game, but he’ll hold back to get what he wants. He’s sitting on a chance that he’s been waiting thousands of years for, and he’ll do what he has to do to convince her to stay forever.

The only thing that could stop him is the secret that he’s been keeping from her for eons. If she finds out, it will destroy everything.

 Aphrodite is getting crap for her choice in player, because from the outside, it looks like a match that would never work.

Kat and Dillon have been through a lot, and everything has been to protect their younger siblings. They sacrificed everything to make sure their brother and sister would be safe. The players are tough and loyal.

Fierce and determined. But they become each other’s weakness, even though they fight it, and even though it means danger for Kat and her sister.

If Aphrodite can get the players over their egos long enough to see that they’re meant for each other, this competition will be a piece of cake. One that she’ll eat a la mode, right in front of Ares, if she beats him.

But before you can read Snake in the Grass, you need to read the first book, Deer in Headlights!

Deer in Headlights (Good Gods #1)
Author: Staci Hart
Release Date: 2/13/2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Paranormal romance

Book Synopsis:

DIH is a light, fun read that will keep you laughing, tug at your heartstrings, and maybe make you change your panties. It’s steamy and sweary, a lighthearted romance with a Greek mythology twist.

What do the Greek gods do when they’re bored? Because they’re always bored, so humans are the perfect players in their games.

Aphrodite owns love; she hasn’t lost a competition on her turf in over three millennia. Apollo is on a mission to win. He’s counting on it to finally get the one woman he’s never been able to have. The two gods will choose their human players, and if Aphrodite can’t get them together before the clock runs out, Apollo will get his way. And Aphrodite couldn’t have that.

Lex and Dean are perfect for each other, they just don’t know it yet. Dean is a perpetual bachelor, and a brooding, beautiful rock star. Lex is always with a man, but she’ll never fully give herself up. Aphrodite has her work cut out for her, but if she can’t make it work, no one can.

The gods have their own drama. Apollo killed Aprhodite’s mortal love – they’ve got beef that’s been dragging on for thousands of years. Ares, the douchebag, is forever trying to pick a fight, and trying to get Aphrodite into bed. And Persephone, Aphrodite’s best friend, is the one person who Aphrodite shares everything with.

Follow the gods as they fight, laugh, cry, lose love, gain power, and make a mess with humans.

Please Note: Books SHOULD be read in order!  Book One is now FREE!

Buy from Amazon:

Add to Goodreads:
  

Buy on Smashwords:
Book One | Book Two

Buy from B&N:
Book One

About the Author

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life — a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can’t forget that. She’s also been a mom; she has three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife; even though she’s certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she’s been drinking whiskey. Her favorite word starts with f, ends with k, and there a uc in there.

From roots in Houston, to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she’s not writing, she’s sleeping, cleaning, or designing graphics. But let’s be honest, she’s mostly writing.

Connect with Staci

We Can’t Wait to Read It

We’re excited to be able to give you a sneak peek of Snake in the Grass!  Enjoy.

Dillon parked in front of MacLennan’s and stepped out of the car. He looked up at the green and gold pub sign with a small four-leaf clover next to the name. They hadn’t been there in forever, since Brian liked to tour Brooklyn’s Irish pub circuit, to “keep it fresh.” He walked up to the door with his hands shoved in the pockets of his leather jacket, his grey hoodie hanging out of the neck, and Owen walked behind him with his collar flipped against the cold.

Dillon hated these after parties. He didn’t drink. Drinking made him too unpredictable. On top of that, he was always wiped out after fights. He’d much prefer to be home, but there was no way around it. The bigger he got, the more people expected to see him after a fight.

Brain said that it was all about PR. If the people who bet on him got to hang out with him, they’d be more likely to bet on him again. But the attention was too much for Dillon. He was honored that so many people wanted to wish him well, but the whole ordeal exhausted him.

He grabbed the brass handle to the pub door and gave Owen a look before pulling it open. The sound of music and people hit him like a wave, which surged once the crowd saw him and exploded into cheers. He smiled and ran a hand through his hair. The crowd parted, and Brian stepped through to him, grinning.

“Took you long enough. Come on, this way.” Brian turned, and the crowd opened up to let him through. They called Dillon’s name, some slapped him on the back. A few tried to hand him drinks, which he graciously turned down, and followed Brian to the bar with Owen in his wake.

They reached the long bar, all mahogany and brass, and the minute he sat down, a small pack of girls led by a bleached blond pushed their way in next to him.

“Hey, Dillon. Congrats on the fight.” Her glossy lips turned up in a smile, and she batted her mascara heavy lashes at him. She squeezed in close and laid her hand on his forearm.

“Thanks, Jessica.” He slid his arm out from under her hand and turned to Owen.

She poked out her lip for a split second, then pasted her smile back on and tried again. She pressed her arm against his as she leaned over the bar and shoved her breasts together. “So, you gonna buy a girl a drink?”

Dillon’s gaze swept over her cleavage spilling out of her low-cut shirt and he rolled his eyes. “You should ask Brian. He’s in charge of rounds.”

Her lip popped out again, and her cheeks flushed. A brunette next to her gave her a nudge and whispered something to her.

Jessica put on a seductive smile and slipped her hand down to his thigh. “Come on, Dillon.” Her words were sugary sweet. “For old time’s sake?”

Dillon looked her over again, his jaw set. “There weren’t ever any ‘old times’.” He turned in his stool and jerked his chin at Brian. “Hey, Bri. Jessica wants a drink. Can you help her out with that?”

Brian snickered. “Yeah, come on, Jess. The bartender’s down here. What are you drinking?” He draped his arm over her shoulders and steered her away. She looked back at Dillon, blowing him up with her eyes with her cronies on her heel.

Owen laughed and shook his head. “God, she never quits.”

“If I had known she was crazy, I never would have hooked up with her.”

“She’s not just crazy, she’s the queen of the asylum.” Owen leaned over the bar. “Damn, what does it take to get a drink around here?” Owen flagged his hand behind the bar.

A girl bent down behind the bar, hidden by a sheet of long, black hair, and when she stood up and turned to face him, all the breath left Dillon’s lungs.

His eyes met hers, intense and gray-green, lined with thick, black lashes. He traced the bridge of her long nose, over the tiny freckles sprinkled across it and onto her flushed apple cheeks. Her rosy lips were full and parted, and his gaze lingered there before pulling back to her eyes, snapping his to hers like magnets.

Owen’s face ping-ponged between the two, amused as they stared at each other. The noise in the bar was almost deafening, but the two of them were still and quiet, two unmoving points in an ocean of people.

Dillon shook himself, and she did the same. She turned to Owen. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you ordered.”

Owen cocked a smile, his eyes on his brother as he answered, “Uh, Guinness. Thanks.”

“And for you?” Her voice was smoke and fire, and she turned to Dillon again, he swallowed hard.

“Just water,” he said, his eyes fixed on hers.

“Sure,” she said and turned to walk to the taps, looking back over her shoulder at Dillon.

He watched her walk away, and Owen gave him a sly smile.

Dillon blinked a few times as his brow dropped. “What?”

“Nothing.” Owen smirked and turned back to the girl.

She came back a moment later and set their drinks down. Owen pulled out his wallet, but she put her hands up. “This goes on Brian’s tab.”

Owen snorted. “Right, Brian’s tab. Hey, what’s your name?”

She stood tall and confident, with her eyes on Dillon, and his on hers. “I’m Kat.”

“Hi, Kat. I’m Owen, and this here,” he slapped Dillon on the shoulder, “is Dillon, my big brother.”

“Yeah, I heard.” She cracked a smile, and Dillon’s heart beat a little faster. “Brian’s been talking you up for the last hour.” Someone shouted to her from the other end of the bar. “Nice to meet you,” she said casually and turned to the mob.

Kat blinked a few times as she walked away. For a second, she had been connected to him, his eyes holding her captive like a snake charmer, and she couldn’t look away. Her brows knit together while she poured a drink, trying to understand what happened. She glanced back over at him and found his eyes on her. The bruise on his jaw was dark, and he had a small cut under his eye. His lips were full and wide, and the bottom one was split. He looked at her fiercely, and she flushed, dropping her eyes back to the drink in front of her.

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