New Cover Reveal For Butterfly Kisses by Mia Castile

Butterfly Kisses (Book #2 in The Butterfly Chronicles)

Everything changed for the Baxter sisters last spring. Lacey blew it with Henry her lifelong crush, only to discover a blooming relationship with her best friend, Chase. While he picked her up and put her back together, they grew closer over the summer. Now that school has started, he’s found popularity thanks to his band Cate’s Ashes, and he’s hiding secret phone calls and text messages. Plus, did his ex-girlfriend just appear out of the blue at his show? Forcing Lacey to wonder if he’s over the feelings he pronounced for her at the beginning of summer. Add to the tension, a realization and secret of her own to keep about her worse enemy. Lacey vows to be the bigger person and keep Byron’s revelation, but what will it cost?

Meanwhile, as Lana tries to find herself again after her suicide attempt, she’s befriended by the school’s resident bad girl, Britt, and new chicano boy, Tomas, in the same week. Britt offers unconditional acceptance that Lana didn’t realize she craved, while Tomas brings out the best in her, and makes her feel alive again. Britt is dangerous and daring, while Tomas exudes security and safety. Vices come easily when you are already addicted to something you crave, and Lana muddles through figuring out who she wants to be.

With their parents constantly arguing, and their dad moving into the guest bedroom, the pressure on the girls may explode destroying them all. Is there a place for happiness when their world is crumbling around them?

My Review

5 of 5 Chase and Lacey

******* PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE SOME SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW FROM THE FIRST BOOK BECOMING A BUTTERFLY. PLEASE READ WITH CAUTION! *******

Butterfly Kisses is the most amazing sequel I have read. I get scared sometimes that I won't like a sequel as much as I liked the first book but dare I say it I LOVE MIA!!!!!!!!! What she has written in the sequel will knock your socks right off your feet. In Becoming a Butterfly we meet Lacey, Chase, Lana, Tomas, Byron, and Henry. This group of teens is going through a lot for the age of 16 but things in life are always complicated. Lacey has deceived Henry and embarrassed him by acting like she was another girl just so he would pay attention to her. Chase is still dealing with his move from another town and struggling with his feelings for Lacey. Lana is being bullied by her ex best friend and her ex boyfriend.Tomas has just moved from another city and knows no one until he meets the mysterious Lana. Byron hates Lacey for some reason and he and his sister bully her everyday.

What this group does not realize is that sometimes you have crawl before you walk and life will throw you things that are very unexpected and when it does you will find friendship in the unlikeliest places. The summer is over and everyone is reeling from something that happened to them that they did not expect. Lacey and Chase are closer than ever but Lacey will have to make a choice on whether or not she will be with Chase or continue her crazy pursuit of Henry who has made it clear that he hates her and never ever wants to see her or talk to her again. She made a fool of him and his feelings and he did not take that very well. 

Lana has found Tomas and the two of them are closer than ever. They talk about everything and share time together just getting to know one another. Tomas understands Lana but when Tomas brings her home to meet the parents his father is against the relationship and forbids it. As the story goes on you find out why the father is against it but Tomas will make his own decisions and what he does will shock you and make you so proud of him.

Byron and Henry are still best friends but this summer really took it's toll out on everyone. Once the cat was out of the bag that Henry was really dating Lacey instead of Farrah his life has been one big jumbled mess. Henry keeps going from girl to girl and breaking hearts because his heart was broken. Byron is always there to pick up the pieces and take care of Henry. What are best friends for right? Well these two will have a rocky patch in Butterfly Kisses and what happens will totally shock you and having say HOLY HADES I never saw that coming!

Butterfly Kisses has so many twists and turns it will have you on the edge of seat screaming for more. When it ended and yes it ended with a cliff hanger Mia is so lucky I love her because I was ready to throw my computer out the window! You will see who Lacey decides she wants to be with. You will see what happens to Lana and who keeps bullying her and why. You will find out more about Tomas and who he has feelings for. You will find out that one of the characters is gay and who he has feelings for. And last but not least one of the characters will get hurt and stay in a coma for a while and when they wake up they will not recognize anyone not even the person they used to love. Mia please write Butterfly Migration FAST like PRONTO because I need it along with my box of tissues!

This is a story about a girl, named Mia. She grew up in suburb of medium sized city. There were cold winters, and hot sticky summers. Mia’s favorite seasons were spring and fall. She enjoyed the mild seasons, but also loved the vibrant colors each possessed. 

Mia loved music. She didn’t just love it, she sat on the floor in front of her Casio stereo for hours at a time, recording songs off the radio. Then she would cue them up and make sure she only got the music as she recorded them on a second tape, without the DJ’s voices on them, just the music. Then she would listen to those songs absorbing the words as she sat in her room and wrote her poetry. 

She wrote her first Poem when she was thirteen. It was called Sands of Time. When she was sixteen and again when she was eighteen she won two state competitions for her poetry. Her Poetry was stories of roses, starry nights, love, loss, and the scars left behind. She found recourse in those private moments filling notebooks of her writings. As she grew so did her inspirations, and when ever it hit her the rest of the world melted away until her verses were written, alive in the world. 

Even today as Mia writes mostly YA fiction, poetry still holds a special place in her heart. Her love for all things words propels her forward in her pursuit of the next great story. Her Debut Novel The Ocean will be released this spring. 

Find Mia on her Website:

http://www.miacastile.com

True By Erin McCarthy Book Review

When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.

Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty that keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…

Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

My Review

5 of 5 TRUER

I have to say that this book really took me by surprise. I have read a lot of NA books and I love them. I love the feel of almost adulthood but still laced by indecision. This is a weird age to be in when you are alone at college and your needs and wants collide and you find yourself making decisions you never thought you would.

In True we meet Rory and Tyler. Rory comes from a middle class family and goes to college. She has never had a boyfriend and is still a virgin. She and her two best friends hang out all the time and go over to their other friends house to drink and Rory is always left out in the living room watching TV while her friends hook up with guys. Then one night she is sitting in the living room hanging out with this guy wishing he would kiss her but when he does kiss her he gets a little carried away and Tyler comes out and saves her.

If that is not mortifying enough her friends out her about her virginity to Tyler right before he takes her home. At first she is mortified but then Tyler and Rory get to talking and find out they have a lot in common. Rory and Tyler are both book smart, Rory in science which is where Tyler needs help and Tyler in English where Rory needs help. But as things start to look good Rory finds out that her two supposed best friends have paid Tyler 100.00 to take her virginity away. For some God forsaken reason Rory does not think bad about this because she sees a side of Tyler no one else has seen and as the two of them get closer Rory and Tyler get to know the real person inside not the person on the outside.

Tyler comes from a not so nice upbringing but he has decided he will do right by his family and he will take care of his brothers because his mother has checked out. So Tyler goes to school to be an EMT and with Rory's help he will graduate and be able to provide for his brothers. At first Tyler agrees to take the money but he can't because there is something about Rory that has drawn him in but he knows being from the wrong side of the tracks is what is going to come in the way of him being with Rory because he has real feelings for her and wants to be with her and no one else.

As things get heated up they also start to fall apart because Rory has some things in her life that complicate things and Tyler has some things that complicate his life. Will the two of them be able to come together and be a couple or will life snatch that away from them. I loved this story and the characters and I need book two like ASAP! Team TRUER and Tyler and Rory all the way! Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this book. 

USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written almost fifty novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for New Orleans, tattoos, high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.

Find Erin on her website:

http://www.erinmccarthy.net/

2013 Releases

I had a super productive writing year in 2012 (I kind of want a cookie for that) so plenty of releases coming up in 2013.

March- reissue of HEIRESS FOR HIRE, with a new cover, with the most adorable photobombing poodle.

March also is the release of SEEING IS BELIEVING, a sequel of sorts to HEIRESS, featuring Piper Tucker all grown up and seeing ghosts.

May- TRUE, my first new adult romance.

July- FANGS FOR NOTHING, sequel to The Fangover with Kathy Love.

July- HOT SUMMER NIGHTS, an anthology with Carly Phillips, Jaci Burton, and Jessica Clare.

December- FULL THROTTLE, Book 7 in the Fast Track series, featuring Rhett Ford, Nolan's naughty younger brother.

Sometime in the fall, my second new adult romance, with characters from TRUE getting their own intense love story. 

Those are the set-in-stone releases, maybe more squeezed in come fall. Thanks for reading!

USA Today Presents A Cover Reveal For Defiance By Stephanie Tyler

This has got to be one of the best cover reveals we've done here at HEA — and it comes with the awesome news that Carina Press has made a deal with Stephanie Tyler to publish her New Adult series, which kicks off with Defiance on June 10.Stephanie joins us to shed some light (or dark, depending on your point of view) on how the cover of Defiance took shape. (To get the full effect of the cover, click on the little blue arrow in the lower right corner of the image. WOW!)

Stephanie: When I first pitched my idea for the Defiance series to Angela James, editorial director extraordinaire at Carina Press, I told her I was billing it as Sons of Anarchy meets the apocalypse. It's a love story that centers around the Defiance Motorcycle Club and especially, two of its members: Tru, Defiance's onetime princess, and Caspar, the head Enforcer.

So I knew, for the cover, there needed to be a motorcycle, because being an MC is actually a big part of what allowed Defiance to survive the apocalyptic event called the Chaos. And I knew I wanted Caspar on the cover.

Carina's art department took my ideas and really went all out on this one — they got Caspar's expression exactly right — and the colors in the background, the darkness, the clouds, the storms, the sense of desolation are exactly how I pictured the world.

I also asked artist Victoria Colotta of VMC Art & Design to draw me a symbol for the MC — which is also a big part of the cover. The cover shows a variation of the design the men wear on their cut and also what they have tattooed on them as full Defiance members.

I couldn't have asked for a better cover — my husband said it looks like a movie poster, and I agree!

Here's the blurb for Defiance (courtesy of Carina Press):

Rebelling against her legacy as the MC's princess, Tru Tennyson escaped the ruthless, male-dominated culture of the Defiance motorcycle club. Three years later, her newfound freedom is ripped away, thanks to a massive hybrid storm that killed millions. Now, in the post-Chaos world of semi-darkness and near-total anarchy where gangs rule, she discovers the dangerous world of Defiance may be the one thing that can keep her safe.

Stephanie Tyler, author of "Defiance."

Tru is at the MC's mercy when she's dragged back to her former home … and to the only man she's ever pictured a future with. Caspar is the bastard son of the club's leader, her safe haven when life got rough — and her onetime lover the night she left. When Tru refuses to trade sex for power and be claimed by a rival club leader, she also dares to announce she wants Caspar instead, throwing the MC into turmoil.

Tru's brazen revolt could start a gang war and destroy the club from within. Now both Tru and the MC must wait for Caspar's response … and the inevitable fallout.

To find out more about Stephanie and her books, you can visit her website, stephanietyler.com.

All information came from USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter/2013/05/01/stephanie-tyler-defiance-exclusive-cover-reveal-carina-press/2124963/

Xpresso Presents A Cover Reveal For You Are Mine by Janeal Falor

You Are Mine by Janeal Falor 

Series: Mine, #1

Publication date: May 6th 2013 

Genre: YA Fantasy

Synopsis:

Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life– worth less than the shadow she casts.

Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17406760-you-are-mine?ac=1

AUTHOR BIO 

Janeal Falor lives in Utah where she’s finally managed to live in the same house for more than five years without moving. In her spare time she reads books like they’re nuts covered in caramel and chocolate, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and enjoys the outdoors. Her husband and three children try to keep up with her overactive imagination. Usually they settle for having dinner on the table, even if she’s still going on about the voices in her head.

Author links:

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

Xpresso Presents A Cover Reveal For Catching Liam by Sophia Bleu

Catching Liam by Sophia Bleu

Publication date: Summer 2013 

Genre: New Adult Contemporary

Synopsis:

Twenty-one year-old Jillian Nichols only has one rule when it comes to boys: catch and release. Boy-catching isn't just a game for Jillian and her friends, it's a lifestyle. After all, boys might be good for a dance or a drink and certainly a little under-cover action of the scandalous variety, but expect much else and you're bound for heart ache.

So when her best friends and fellow boy catchers start dropping like flies junior year, Jillian is determined to keep boys in her bedroom and out of her heart. Until she meets Liam McAvoy, the kind of guy that sticks around to make waffles and who can't—or perhaps won't—take a hint. 

Study abroad student Liam doesn't want to be another notch on Jillian's bedpost. Actually he has much more interesting ideas for Jillian and her bedposts, but his student visa's set expiration date means he can't promise her forever. That doesn't mean he's going to walk away from the challenge of discovering why Jillian is hell-bent at keeping people at a distance. 

Before long, neither is sure who is catching who—or if they're playing for keeps. Jillian knows one thing though: falling in love will not only break the only rule of boy-catching, it could also break her heart.

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17839132-catching-liam

AUTHOR BIO 

Sophia Bleu is a secret identity where I can write about fantasies and falling in love and all the smexiness in between. In real life, I'm likely catching a plane, chasing kids, or making out with the love of my life—all 6 ft 3 inches of hotness that he is. Life is pretty good.

Author links:

Website / Facebook / Twitter

BOOK TOUR

I'm also organizing a book tour for Catching Liam in July,here is link to the sign up pagehttp://www.xpressobooktours.com/2013/05/tour-sign-up-catching-liam-by-sophia.html Note that those who participate in the cover reveal will be given preference for a spot in the tour (track record is also considered)--simply mention in the comment section of the tour sign up with a link to your cover reveal post.

Happy Release Day For Hellhound By Kaylie Austen

Hellhound

Author: Kaylie Austen

Print ISBN: 9781939865304

E-Book ISBN: 9781939865311

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Suspense

Release Date 05/01/2013

Buy Now

Description:

Selene is the Hellhound, a powerful and ruthless descendent of the Greek gods. She is bound by tradition and tied by bloodlines to lead her people against the mortals. Although she is arranged to marry Nathanial, she falls for Demetrius, the self-professed Black Angel, and things take a bitter twist. When she stumbles across the corpses of her father and Nathanial, all eyes move in on Demetrius. Selene must take the assignment to hunt down her accused lover. Facing the untrustworthy cerebral chamber, powerful shape-shifting sentinels, superhuman archers, and a deceitful Council, the Hellhound must work quickly to uncover the truth before she is forced to annihilate her lover.

About the Author

Kaylie Austen was born in India, and raised in Austin, Texas where she attended the University of Texas. Her multi-cultural upbringing fueled her desire for languages, cultures, and travel. Kaylie is perhaps best known for her sudden and infectious laugh. She enjoys anything science fiction and fantasy related, and writes in both genres for adults and young adults.

Kaylie began writing at the tender age of ten, and completed her first novel at the age of sixteen. Throughout her school years, her writing earned trophies, awards, publication in scholastic magazines, and scholarships. Kaylie currently lives in beautiful Washington State with an amazing husband. She loves to hear from readers, so feel free to contact her.

Website:

  www.kaylieausten.com

Blog:

  www.kaylieausten.blogspot.com

Twitter:

  www.twitter.com/kaylieausten

FB:

  www.facebook.com/kaylieausten

New Cover Reveal For Becoming A butterfly By Mia Castille

Mia has decided to redo her book covers for the Butterfly Chronicles and boy oh boy has she made my day! God I love the old covers but I am SOOOOOOOOOO in love with the new covers. 

Out with the old cover......

In with the new cover ...... what do you think!

Becoming a Butterfly

Sixteen year old Lacey was never the center of attention, unless she was tripping, stammering, or being deposited into a pool by the local popular kids. All she wanted was to fit in, until one night when everything changed. 

Jade and Tasha, her two best friends, helped her create an online personality that was everything she wanted to be– and it was only the beginning. In doing so, she attracted the attention of Henry, her lifelong crush and next door neighbor. Unfortunately, it was Farrah, her online personality and not herself, he was interested in. 

She also attracted Chase, the brooding, quiet, anti-social new kid of Brownsburg High School, who easily figured out her secret and blackmailed her. 

They forged a friendship that was both unique and complicated. 

Lacey must decide if revealing herself to Henry and her entire school as the cool, charming, and funny Farrah is worth possibly losing him forever. She finds herself needing to make an even harder decision than she ever thought possible. When did the lines between truth and lies get so blurred?

Becoming a Butterfly is a story about coming of age and finding yourself when you never knew you were lost.

**This is a MATURE YA FICTION SERIES.**

I enjoyed telling my stories as a small child, of an imaginary friend, named Charlotte. I don’t remember interacting with her; but I always told tales of our adventures. I guess even as a small girl the creativity started early.I don’’t speak Spanish, unfortunately, even though my father emigrated from Mexico. He met my mother in the United States. They were married for nine years, but in the end, went separate ways. Thank God, my grandparents were able to help raise me and my sister.

 I did a lot of my creative writing during my classes in high school. I almost flunked Algebra that year, but I walked away with the beginnings of my first novel, The Ocean. I only wrote seven or eight chapters before I became overwhelmed. I set it aside eventually forgetting about it but stuck with writing poetry as I continued with my life, even into my “Urban” phase. This was the time of my life that I say ““My slang got a little twang in it.” I did a lot of growing up over the next few years.

 I have always lived in Indianapolis. I love the feel of this city. It’’s small enough to get anywhere in about forty-five minutes, but has a nice big city feel downtown. When you get all dolled up and go out on the town, you really enjoy it. I have vivid dreams. That is where I get most of my inspiration for my plots and themes. It was a series of dreams that forced my hand to begin writing again.

 I began writing the series Generations. When I was half way through the story line, (not the first novel) The Ocean began creeping back into my mind. It became an obsession and I realized I had to write it again. These two stories are very intricate to why I became a writer.

Check Mia out on her website

http://miacastile.com/