[Review] Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Kacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D.

Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair.

But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.

I know, I know, I'm probably the last person on earth to read this book. I was into this story from the first page. I was interested, I liked the characters, but I didn't really feel anything for the relationship between Kacey and Trent until close to the end. Unfortunately I read a spoiler when I was just starting, and while it didn't ruin the book but it definitely had an effect on the way I took in the story. I knew what the big surprise was, and it took away from the mystery. I don't think it necessarily changed what I would have rated the book, but I guess I'll never know. [Insert side rant about posting spoilers]. Moving on.

Kacey and her sister Livie are running from some pretty rough circumstances and they end up in Miami, living in between a fake boobed Barbie with a daughter and a sexy mysterious guy. Kacey is running from her past, and I can't say I blame her. These girls went through some heavy stuff. Livie is a little more well adjusted[or so she seems], but Kacey is still struggling with her past.

Let's start with my favorite parts of the book, the relationships between Kacey, Livie, Storm[previously stated Barbie] and her adorable daughter Mia. Any good book needs a great girl friendship dynamic, and this one had a really great one. I judged Storm, about the same way Kacey did, but I was wrong. Storm is not just some Barbie with fake boobs, she quickly became a character that I cared about. There's also something to be said about a great sibling relationship. I think a lot of books are lacking in this department, but I could feel the love between Kacey and Livie. It was one of the most authentic relationships in the book.

Something about the relationship between Kacey and Trent didn't click with me until really close to the end. Trent came off as a little bit creepy. Why is stalking someone and violating their personal space considered endearing to these characters in NA books? I don't know. He wasn't a bad guy, he never came off as a bad guy, but I just didn't fall in love with him. I liked him at the end, I wanted him with Kacey, but I just felt a little underwhelmed by their relationship. It wasn't insta-love, but it wasn't exactly slow burning either. There were so many secrets between Kacey and Trent that it really hindered their progress together, and I think ultimately that made the relationship a little difficult for me.

This is a good read, that flows quickly and doesn't seem overdone, but unfortunately it kind of blends into the background of all the other good NA books out there that just follow too much of the same formula. I will probably continue on with this series, because I really enjoyed the secondary characters and the next books are about them.

If you are a lover of the NA genre then you will probably LOVE this book.

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[ARC Review] YOU

Love hurts...

When aspiring writer Guinevere Beck strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe works, he’s instantly smitten. Beck is everything Joe has ever wanted: She’s gorgeous, tough, razor-smart, and as sexy as his wildest dreams.

Beck doesn’t know it yet, but she’s perfect for him, and soon she can’t resist her feelings for a guy who seems custom made for her. But there’s more to Joe than Beck realizes, and much more to Beck than her oh-so-perfect façade. Their mutual obsession quickly spirals into a whirlwind of deadly consequences . . .

A chilling account of unrelenting passion, Caroline Kepnes’s You is a perversely romantic thriller that’s more dangerously clever than any you’ve read before.

               

I’m not even sure where to begin. I have to say this book isn’t exactly what I thought it was going to be. I’m not upset, but I guess I’m not thrilled either. While half the time I didn’t know how I felt about this book, I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what was going to happen next, to whom it would happen to, and why. Everything about this book is intense. I honestly still think I’m a little shocked by the happenings inside the story.  YOU was definitely a different kind of story, while being funny and absolutely bizarre, it was suspenseful and kept you yearning for more.

The character development was phenomenal and I couldn’t help but route for the bad guy. Or was he the bad guy? I mean I guess he was… but was he really? I’m so conflicted about my feelings towards the main character of Joe. I wanted him to get his love. I thoroughly enjoyed his point of views on society, and life. The second person narration threw me off a little, since I’m not really into it. I found it hard to follow along a few times as I got confused as to who was speaking. Joe may have been psychotic, but he was adorable at the same time. I got a Dexter type vibe from him, and I LOVE me some Dexter. You just can’t help but get involved with the characters on a deeper level. While loving Joe and having a love/hate relationship with Beck, I pretty much disliked all of the supporting characters.  Not because they were bad characters either, I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to like them. Although I did feel bad for Karen, and Ethan was adorable. 

Now, I have to admit… most of the time I didn’t like the character of Beck. While she was with Joe and making him happy, I adored her. When she wasn’t with Joe and just disappeared on him with no explanation I seriously loathed her.  I think I just admitted to myself that I was totally team Joe. I found Beck to be pretentious and demanding. She sought out attention in any form, from anyone who would give it to her. She’s the type that uses sexuality to get what she wants, then throws it away. Beck is a slob, a complete hot mess. Her flaws make you wonder why Joe is so smitten with her, but in a way her flaws are her perfection.

While there is a lot of dark humor in the book and social belittling, I couldn’t help but be on Joe’s side. Joe makes you feel that his actions are justifiable. I pretty much made an excuse for myself to relate to him and understand why he did what he did. The entire creep factor of this book kept me entranced in the lives of Joe and Beck. Every time Joe would relate his life to one of the books he read I would just smile, knowing how being a reader… that’s what we do.

I loved the aspect of Beck being from Nantucket, RI. Living in RI myself I was enthralled while reading about how the characters were going to Little Compton, and how the author knew how far away Fall River, MA was. The one thing that bothered me (strictly because I live in RI) is the mention of Taylor Swift and where she lived. Little Compton isn’t anywhere near where Ms. Swift lives in Westerly. Don’t get me wrong, the reference was nice, but to any Rhode Islander… that’s just SO far. I mean people here don’t want to take a 15min drive to Providence, because it’s “too far”.  

All in all this was a great read. A psychological thriller with a twist of eroticism, that left my mind reeling in ten different directions all at once. I have to say the whole stalking thing is super creepy, but it totally works. I can’t lie, I kind of hoped that there would be a happily ever after. The ending definitely fit the novel, and fit Joe. This is one of those reads that you’ll never quite completely understand. The creep factor is off the charts, and the things that happen will just amaze you. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Dexter. However, I’m not sure that everyone can stomach this read, since it’s very intense. It’s Different, Hot. An absolute conundrum.

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Book Releases September 30th, 2014

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[Review] Fire In Her Eyes

Spencer and I have been enemies for as long as I can remember. Though it wasn't hard to fall into lust with him. And things seemed to be headed to love before unspeakable things happened to me...

Spencer was supposed to be my rock. My angel. He turned out to be none of those things. What he did hurt more then the tragedy. I don't think I will ever be able to forgive him...

Not that he hasn't tried to win me back over. His new actions leave me wondering if love can really forgive anything?

My name is Harley Maxton and this is my story

             

I want to start out with this was a great story, even though I did have some issues with it. Well, more like one major issue. The book was too short.  That’s my main complaint. Other than that I was mildly surprised at the goings on of this novel. I mean you see the whole love interest thing coming, ‘cause you can only hate someone so beautiful for so long while ignoring the obvious sexual tension that is there.  Well, well, this book was filled to the brim with sexual tension, complete tragedy, and honest to goddess surprise. It takes a lot to shock me, and let me tell you… there were a few minutes that I was like “Oh god, No…. WHAT!? No way. I can’t…” 

First off, I absolutely loved the characters of Spencer and Harley. I also love the fact that both of those names could totally be used regardless whether you’re a male or female, just saying. From the beginning you get smacked in the face with some shocking news, then Ms. Heath just keeps it right on coming. The whole idea of the character behind Harley was absurdly adorable, as well as Spencer. While both characters have both lost a parent due to unforeseen circumstances to which has mentally scarred them for life, they’ve moved on… cautiously. As they both come home from college on summer break, they get a whopping surprise from their parents. Not only were they neighbors before, but now they’re going to be room-mates. I know right! Whaaat!? The only word I can picture coming out of either one of their mouths is “BALLS.” Although I’m pretty sure that wasn’t said. ;)

So I’m pretty sure I’ve always been partial to red heads, being a semi-red head myself.  I’ve always associated fierceness, carefree, and braveness with red heads, along with some serious sass and just pure awesomeness. Some people say blondes have more fun, I say red heads do. Just be warned, we bite, and we bite hard. That being said, I’m gonna move along to Spencer, after gushing about how much I just adore Harley’s character. Spencer is the epitome of sex. He’s broody, yet completely thoughtful, protective, a total playboy, funny, and just oozes pure testosterone. Yum.  At this point, my book boyfriend list is so long that I’m gonna have to compile them all into one man, that no one could possibly ever live up to the expectations set by myself. If somehow, I met a man that could… well babe – I’d rock his socks off! 

I don’t want to tell you much about the story because I feel like you should read this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and must say that I’m definitely a new fan of Amanda Heath. Even though the book was shorter than I would have liked, it still packs punches like you wouldn’t believe. It’s one of those books that you chastise yourself for letting sit on your shelf for so long not reading it. I actually have another novel by Amanda Heath that a good book friend of mine Tess recommended, (This Beautiful Thing) and now I can’t wait to read it. It’s definitely been moved up on my list. Sadly enough I have looked at it so many times and just picked another book instead. Well, not anymore! I read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down. The tragedy and the love story that goes along with it were simply astonishing and I loved it. To say this is a definite page turner isn’t enough. I HAD to keep reading, because I just had to know what was going to happen next. I was gasping and shocked at so many points in this story that I’m still kind of pissed off at some of the characters. 

Honestly, read this book. You’ll fly right through it and by the end you’re just going to say “Wow. That was truly an amazing read.” I was most certainly left with a book hangover and I’m still thinking about all the horrible things that happened, along with the epic love story that goes along with them. Kudos to Amanda Heath for writing this amazing novel, and I can’t wait to read more from her.  

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[ARC Review] Ugly Love

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.

Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.

Promises get broken.

Rules get shattered.

Love gets ugly.

 “He tightens his grip on my neck … and then he kills me. Or he kisses me. I can’t tell which since I’m pretty sure they would feel the same. His lips against mine feel like everything. Live living and dying and being reborn, all at the same time.”

I can’t even comprehend the feelings that I have for this book, or even for Colleen Hoover for that matter. I love her, but I hate what she does to my emotions… but at the same time I completely love everything she does to my emotions.  I won’t lie, I’ve been a #Cohort for quite some time now. Colleen writes it, I read it. Point blank.  Ugly love is, well Ugly love is something to leave you speechless. I mean how can you really describe how much something made you feel when you’ve got so many different emotions running through you at the same time. I flew in love, I fell in hate. I laughed, I cried. I cried a lot, and I mean Ugly Love means Ugly cry. At times I felt my heart just couldn’t take it anymore, that I would explode with pain, anguish, and utter shock. Maybe it should be Ugly Love, Ugly Cry, Ugly pain. 

“Ugly love becomes you. Consumes you. Makes you hate it all. Makes you realize that all the beatufiul parts aren’t even worth it. Without the beautiful, you’ll never risk feeling this. You’ll never risk feeling the ugly. So you give it up. You give it all up. You never want love again, no matter what kind it is, because no type of love will ever be worth living through the ugly love again.”

Every chapter further I got into this book the more I flew in love. I kept looking down at the percentage of where I was in the book and cringing. Every thought I had was No! I don’t want to be closer to the end. Maybe if I read a little slower… it won’t end. Ha! The false hope there, grand surprise. I just can’t tell you enough of about the revelations, (OH the revelations!) and the moments of bliss that you’re going to incur while reading this. You’ll have your suspicions, some of them will be right, some will be wrong. I do know one thing, Ugly Love will blow your mind, and rock your socks off at the same time. I won’t tell you about the story, since that’s what the synopsis is for. I would never want to ruin a book for someone, and if I were to tell you any of the goings on of this novel, I wouldn’t stop. So you’re just gonna have to deal with my gushy feels.

“Love isn’t always pretty, Tate. Sometimes you spend all your time hoping it’ll eventually be something different. Something better. Then, before you know it, you’re back to square one, and you lost your heart somewhere along the way.”

Throughout this entire story I wanted to love Miles. I wanted to hate Miles. Talk about conflicting emotions, I can’t even imagine what Tate must have felt for him. Oh wait, maybe I can…  Miles has had some serious, unbearable, never come back from again type heart break. The type of hurt that will ruin and change a person forever.  He’s brooding, dark, stoic, beautiful and intoxicating. I love how his hair can’t decide whether it wants to be brown or blonde. How his eyes are so piercing crystal blue that you can’t take help but imagine getting yourself lost in them. I hate how secretive he is, but I now understand why.  There’s a poem from one of my favorite movies of all time, 10 Things I hate about you – which is how I see the connection between Miles and Tate, from Tate’s point of view. I know they don’t exactly match up entirely, but I don’t want to change the poem.

“We’re both smiling. The relaxed look on his face fills me with so many emotions I can’t even begin to classify them. I’m happy, because we’re having fun together. I’m sad, because we’re having fun together. I’m angry, because we’re having fun together and it makes me want so much more of this. So much more of him.”

“I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair.
I hate the way you drive my car, 
I hate it when you stare. 
I hate your big dumb combat boots and the way you read my mind. 
I hate you so much it makes me sick, it even makes me rhyme. 
I hate the way you’re always right, 
I hate it when you lie. 
I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry. 
I hate it when you’re not around, and the fact that you didn’t call. 
But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you, 
not even close…
not even a little bit… 
not even at all.”

“I didn’t fall in love with you, Tate. I flew.”

Tate is just adorable. She’s the type of person you can’t help but love. I know I always say I aspire to be the leading ladies in books, but in this case… I really do. Even with the Ugly.  I admire so many things about this character, and I can honestly relate to her issues with Miles. I mean why do we do it to ourselves? We put ourselves in these positions of masochism and deal with it just because sometimes the best parts of life come along with the worst. Tate’s a nurse, with an overbearing brother that she loves even though he’s a pain. While trying to get her life straightened out she’s also going to school to get a higher degree of her nursing. I’ve always wanted to be a nurse, and I’m hoping that soon enough I’ll have enough money saved to go back to school, and get out the constant rut that has become my life.

“After You Tate”. He says, pushing open his door. No, Miles. I follow. That’s how it is with us. You’re solid, I’m liquid. You part the waters, I’m your wake.”

Oh my god, did I absolutely love the support characters of this book. Cap. Oh Cap. You’re my new best friend. The relationship and rapport that he has with everyone is just beautiful. The advice from an older generation is always so simple yet truthful. Always listen. Then there is Ian and Corbin. They’re just there for you. A constant shoulder, just like Cap is. The protectiveness of both Ian as Miles’ best friend, and Corbin being the best big brother Tate could ever have, seriously how could you not love these men? Exactly. You have to.

“My skin feels better with her touching it. My hair feels better with her hands in it. My mouth feels better with her tongue inside of it. I wish we could breathe like this. Live like this. Life would feel better with her like this.”

I can’t tell you enough amazing things about this novel, or about Colleen Hoover. Read it. Read it right now. You’ll never forget the undeniable feels you will get. This is one of those books that if you don’t read it RIGHT NOW, you WILL regret it. I’ve been left with a serious book hangover and a heavy but filled heart. I’m happy and I’m sad. Colleen really makes you feel as if you’re the one that’s experiencing the events filled on the pages. Ugly Love is a story you’ll never forget. A story you’ll re-read, that will change you. Every. Time. You. Read. It. THANK you Colleen Hoover for your undying devotion to writing these stories that really do invoke your deepest seeded emotions. Again, I can’t give Ugly Love or Colleen enough praise besides my undying gratitude.

“I know the thought of confronting your past terrifies you. It terrifies every man. But sometimes we don’t do it for ourselves. We do it for the people we love more than ourselves.”

 “It may be a small piece at a time, but my past is yours now. All of it. Anything you want to know, I want to tell you. But only if you promise me I can also have your future.”

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Title available August 5th, 2014

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[Review] Until I break

"I’m intrigued. Tempted beyond what I’ve ever been before. To know her, to open her up. To break her."

In love, sometimes what you fear most is exactly what you need.

Laura Drake is an author. She writes bestselling paranormal romances that continue to top the charts. She is sharp. She is confident. She is in control. 

And she doesn’t exist.

Samantha Jansen is the woman behind the wig, the woman most of the world doesn’t know exists. She is shy. She is insecure. She is nothing like her main character or her alter ego. She is scarred—deeply scarred—by a past she can’t let go of and a present she can’t make peace with.

Samantha’s dreams are consumed by one man, the broken hero from her books. Mason Strait is both her wildest fantasy and her most terrifying nightmare. 

When Samantha meets Alec Brand, a corporate consultant, it is as though Mason has come to life. Alec is handsome to a fault, as elegant as he is arrogant, and more intense than any man has a right to be.

Samantha is soon sucked into a world that mirrors the fiction she writes. Just like her main character, Daire Kirby, Samantha finds herself unable to resist the forbidden lure of Alec. And just like Daire, she also finds that she is faced with taking a chance on a man who could either set her free or destroy her.

The scale tilts toward destruction when Samantha finds out that Alec is as much a work of fiction as Mason. And he has scars of his own, scars that could ruin them both. 

"Every broken person’s worst fear - that no one will be able to love us in spite of our scars."

As you may know, this book was pulled from publication. Why? I’m not 100% sure, but I respect the decision of M. Leighton, and her reasoning behind them. If for any reason at all, I think that if it were book bullying, this needs to stop. If you don’t like a book, why can’t you just state the things you DID like, or to simply say this book just didn’t do it for me. To put an author down, or one of their novels is just wrong. I get it, we all have books we don’t like, or we hated. It happens! I say shame on those who have the need to dishearten and berate others for the sake of their own pettiness, cruelty, and self -indulgence. Get over yourselves, and grow up. Words hurt,  and can never be taken back. 

I absolutely love M. Leighton’s works. This book was so astonishingly amazing, and the concept was completely raw and beautiful. The idea of writing a book about being an author is brilliant. While shedding some light on the intricate workings of the mind of an author, it always plays into the fact that they’re people too. Authors aren’t what they write. Sometimes an author is just a persona, and the person behind the writing is completely different. I seriously loved the idea behind this story.  I mean honestly, I never thought about it. I get that authors are real people too, and that they have their own lives outside of writing. As a reader, we compare people we see to those of the characters that we read in our books. I’m pretty sure we’ve all said at one point, I’m in love with a fictional character. Being an author it must be that much harder to differentiate the similarities between the characters in your head, and the people you deal with in your everyday life. Well, if you get what I mean. I’m not trying to say that authors are living in a fantasy realm and can’t distinguish fiction from non-fiction. 

“It’s my greatest passion” “…the education of girls like you. Watching desire darken your eyes, tasting sweat as it beads on your skin, feeling your body squeeze mine like a tight fist.”

Until I break is about a woman named Samantha Jansen who writes novels under the pseudo name Laura Drake. While Laura Drake has the persona of the beautiful, confident, sassy, best-selling paranormal erotica author, Samantha is the complete opposite.  Samantha goes to extreme measures to conceal her true identity to not be tied to Laura Drake.  Being broken does that to people, but not only that, why wouldn’t you want to hide your identity so you can basically live your own life without being bombarded by fans. Personally, I totally respect the decision this character made to do that. I’m guessing it must be completely taxing and stressful trying to keep the two separate, but in the end, I totally get it. 

“I feel lost in his eyes, hypnotized by his words. I know I should run, but I can’t. As crazy and stupid as it sounds, I have to see things through.”

At one of Laura Drakes book signings, she sets her eyes on a Mr. Alec Brand. Alec is the epitome of her main character in her series, the vampire Mason Strait.  With his stunning likeness to Mason, Samantha becomes infatuated with the idea of Mason Strait being real, with his black hair, pale green eyes that ooze mystery, danger, sex, and the illustrious temptation… She feels the need to know more about this dark brooding stranger.

“Although he’s nothing more than a product of my imagination, he’s both my wildest fantasy and my most terrifying nightmare.” 

Alec Brand is a mystery. Fascinated by Laura Drake, he seeks her out to see what she’s really all about. However, Alec has some serious secrets and a sketchy past that makes him take on his on pseudonym. As much as I liked his character, I hated his character at the same time.  When secrets between both parties start to unravel and pasts start to collide it’s just an epic cluster-fuck you can’t take your eyes away from.  

"I’m intrigued. Tempted beyond what I’ve ever been before. To know her, to open her up, to break her." 

I’d say that because this book is written in a dual POV, you definitely get to see the inner workings on both characters accounts, and their characters too.  There’s one thing I have to say about M. Leighton is she has such a brilliant ability to completely catch you off guard, and leave you saying WHAT the fuck just happened!? I mean, the plot twists that she comes up with… you just don’t see it coming. M. gets me Every. Damn. Time. So much so that you have to put the book down and take a minute to comprehend what really just happened. I seriously commend her for that, which is why I LOVE reading her books.  I mean don’t get me wrong, you know something is coming… but you just don’t know what it is. M. leaves you with so many mind-reeling possibilities as to what could happen, until you get smacked in the face with it and you’re left saying OH.MY.GOD. Yep,  jaw left unhinged, you might want to grab it and put it back into place! 

“I think I might’ve fallen in love with you that very day. And a little bit more every day after. I tried to let you go. I thought I could live without you, that I could move on. But I couldn’t. I could hardly last a day.”

I really want to tell you how simply amazing this book is and that you should read it. I do hope that if you did get the chance to get this book, that you WILL read it, because it’s probably one of the best and most intricate dark romance’s I’ve ever read. You’re never confused on who is who, the supporting characters are flawless and it really is just an utterly amazing book.  I’m saddened that more people won’t get the chance to appreciate this fabulous work of art. 

“I was dead before I met you and I’ll be dead again if you ever leave me.”

M. Leighton – if you ever change your mind and want to continue on with Samantha and Alec’s story,  let me tell you I’ll be first in line to grab a copy. I’m willing to bet that quite a few others would say the same. ;) Please continue writing and don’t let this hindrance affect you in anyway.  We love you, and the brilliant beautiful WORDS OF ART that you make!  
Remember people books ARE works of art. Is Picasso for everyone? Don’t think so.  Does that make him less of an artist? Nope! The time and effort that goes into novels, paintings, music, theater, and etcetera isn’t meant for you to simply judge… it’s meant for you to APPRECIATE. 

[Book Blitz] Spartanica (The Survivors of Sapertys)

Synopsis:

Heart-pounding action. Fantastical creatures. Epic battles for survival. Staggering betrayal. Spartanica, the first book in The Survivors of Sapertys Series, is an engaging young-adult/teen science fiction adventure novel that traces the fates of middle-school brothers Ty and Marcus Mitchell after they find themselves abandoned among the apocalyptic ruins of a decimated metropolis on a parallel world. Wanting nothing more than to survive long enough to get home, the boys soon learn they only have seven days to escape as they find themselves suddenly embroiled in a contentious battle for planet-wide domination against ruthless, animalistic desert warriors called the Desrata. The brothers soon find they aren't completely alone in their quest as they befriend young survivors of Spartanica's "last day" and come together to forge a unified front against their common foe. But are these kids truly fugitives from the Desrata death camps, or are they hiding something deadly? Never quite sure exactly who to trust, Ty and Marcus stumble upon ominous realities about Spartanica that they never could have suspected. How could it all be true? How could this have happened? Will they ever get home? Hold on tight. The truths hidden in and around Spartanica are sinister and shocking. Enjoy the ride!

Excerpt:

THIRTY-ONE

I’M GONNA HURL!

(MARCUS)

  “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!” Nekitys yelled, reaching over to push Yra’s and Kinnard’s rifles down. “It can’t get to us in here. Your blasts will ricochet off the security field and kill us all!” The ’rat stood motionless, inches away on the other side of the field, staring down at all of us. “Huuummmaaaaaans,” it said, “I come alone. Nooooo weapon. I escape settlement to help you.” Needless to say, that wasn’t what we expected to hear. “Everybody get ready,” Kinnard said. “Nekitys, prepare to drop the field. We’re going to put as many holes as we can through this thing.” The Atlantean kids all put our uninvited visitor squarely in the cross-hairs. “Waaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiit,” it said, stepping back with its paw in front of it. “Desrata Kingdom has your female. They kiiiiillllllllll if she not escape soon. I help you get her back. If I die, you fail, she die.” “No!” Naetth yelled. “You’re a stinkin’ ’rat! You’re a liar! You’re a killer! You would never help us!” The ’rat backed up several more steps and eased itself down to the ground. Even sitting, it was almost at eye level with me. “Desrata Kingdom has lost way, become evil,” it said. “Not always so. Our leaders listen to evil humans now. Evil humans promise eternal Elisii if we help take your city. They make us work. They make us slaves. They make us take slaves. These not Desrata ways. These not my ways.”  

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About the Author

Powers Molinar writes most excellent young adult science fiction stories because he desperately wants kids to read more. He’s seen, first-hand, how a healthy appetite for reading has helped his kids succeed in school and hopes to help spread the same to kids worldwide through his literary works. Powers and his family live under the cupola near Chicago where Powers works as an IT Project Manager until he can write full-time. Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

[Book Blitz] XY

 Publication date: 5 June 2014

Genre: Young adult (Dystopia)

Publisher: Bridge House (Red Telephone Books)

Formats: Paperback and e-book (Mobi only)

Would it possible to live without gender?

Fifteen year old Jesse lives in a world where babies are born neither male nor female – Compulsory Gender Assignment is carried out at birth. Will the secret she closely guards be found out? Boyfriend Zeus, mother Ana’s Natural Souls, and new friend Ork, leader of We Are One, pull Jesse in different directions, forcing her to make her own mind up about who she really is.

 Jesse watches through the smeared kitchen window as Randy plays football in the back garden with Zeus. Her brother's face is red and shining with perspiration and concentration as he tackles Zeus, before skidding on a muddy patch and ending up sprawled across the grass.
“Yes! Yes! Come on!!!” shouts Zeus, grinning as he punches the air, shaking droplets of sweat everywhere. He bends over laughing and then he looks up at the window, catching Jesse's eye before she looks away into the washing up bowl full of suds, feeling heat creeping across her chest.
“He's a proper teenage boy your brother, isn't he?” says Jesse's mother, Ana, smiling to herself as she hands Jesse a tea towel. “All rough and tumble. I'm so pleased for him that he has finally become himself.”
Jesse feels her shoulders tense up as she fingers the green checked cloth.
“Thanks for dinner, Mum,” she says, not meeting her mother's gaze as she starts drying the dishes. “The lasagne was lovely. I should go upstairs and do some revision once I've finished this.”
“I can teach you how to make it if you'd like?” says Ana, beaming at her daughter. “Maybe at the weekend, when you've not got so much school work to do?”
Jesse doesn't want to learn how to make lasagne. Or shepherd's pie or pasta bake. She doesn't want to learn to cook or study needlecraft or budgeting skills or any of the Female Life Skills on the syllabus. She doesn't want to play football either. She doesn't know what she wants. It was so much easier before. When she wore white and yellow and green and grey and played with trains and dolls at home, when Randy and Jesse shared everything. When they were the same. Before Ana took them to see Maya and they moved into their first flat, next door to the old man who smelled of urine. When she didn't have to pretend she'd made a decision. She feels the corners of her mouth quivering as her mother stares into her face.
“Oh Jesse, don't worry,” says her mother, rubbing her shoulders. “Your turn will come when you are ready. How are you feeling about things now, darling?”
Jesse shrugs her shoulders and tries hard to smile but somehow she can't quite manage it. Her mother takes the plate Jesse is busy drying out of her hands and places it on the scratched wooden work top.
“Don't worry, darling. I only ever want you to be happy. You've got to be ready, Jesse. Remember what happened to George.”
Jesse nods. She has heard the story of Uncle George so many times, it is etched on her brain, like a recurring nightmare.

“I think Zeus might have a crush on you,” says Randy over breakfast the next morning.
The family are in the kitchen, sitting around the big, old, oak dining table, a hand-me-down from one of Ana's friends. Most of their belongings are cast-offs. They are used to relying on the charity of others connected to Natural Souls. Ana has set the table with cereal, orange juice, toast and home-made preserves.
“Shut up,” says Jesse, spooning muesli into her mouth.
“Seriously. Didn't you notice the way he kept watching you yesterday when you came out into the garden with your tight top on? I don't think it was just your lemon ice lollies he was drooling at!”
Jesse feels her heart beating a little faster. Zeus is nice, she thinks, but nothing can happen. Zeus is one of the Nine Per Cent. He wouldn’t want her. At least not until afterwards. If she goes through with it.
“I know you like him!” continues Randy in a sing-song voice. “Don't worry, I won't tell him your secret!”
“Randy,” says Ana sharply, pouring milk into her bowl. “Don't wind your sister up before school.”
“I'm not!” protests Randy, rocking his chair backwards and stuffing toast into his mouth. “I'm just saying!”
Jesse carries on eating, feeling her cheeks burn.
Randy gets up from the table and whispers to Jesse on his way out of the kitchen, “He likes you, he likes you!”
Once her brother is out of earshot, Jesse turns to her mother.
“Mum, can I ask you a question?” she says, playing with her spoon, turning it over and over and watching her reflection morph into something grotesque.
“Anything,” says Ana.
“How old were you when you had your first boyfriend? I know it was different for you. You weren't born like us but...”
“I was fifteen,” replies Ana without hesitating. “The same age you are now. His name was Jack. He was a friend of my brother's too. He was born like you but he was a boy by the time I met him. It didn't last, of course.”
“What happened?”
“You mean why didn't it last?” asks Ana, absent-mindedly picking crumbs up off the table. “We were just kids. First love. It wasn't even love. When George died, well...  Jack's family moved away. It's just as well or I wouldn't have met your father and there would have been no Randy or Jesse.”
She looks up at Jesse with a bright smile. Sometimes Jesse wonders what lies beneath her mother's happy face.
“I wish Dad was here,” says Jesse. “I wish he hadn't left us.”
“I know, darling, but we have to be strong for one another. Think about what I said about seeing Maya again soon. Now, you don't want to be late for school, do you?”
Jesse gets up and takes her plates to the sink before grabbing her school bag and heading over to school. Today she has history, biology, religious education and sex education. It will not be a good day. Her bag weighs heavily on her shoulder. She thinks about the text books it contains and what they are teaching her.

“Ah, Jesse, so glad you could join us,” says Mr Hope as she slips into her biology class five minutes late, after a last minute visit to the toilets to make sure she looks right.
“Sorry, sir,” comes her feeble reply. She feels her school dress stick to her back as she finally removes the heavy bag and sits down at her desk.
Jesse looks around the classroom at the other girls. Debra Simmonds is painting her fingernails under the desk. But she isn't like Debra, is she? All the boys want Debra because everyone knows that Debra was born pure. She is one of the Nine Per Cent like Zeus. Jesse isn’t like Debra. She isn’t like the other girls, either. The assigned girls. What if they find out what she is? She wonders how Randy is getting on over at the boys' school. It is all right for him, now he's had the operation. But Jesse is scared. She doesn't know if she can go through with it.
Artemis smiles at her, through her spidery black fringe. They weren't friends before. But since Randy started going out with her it seems that Artemis wants to hang around with Jesse all day.
“Everybody turn to page one hundred, please,” instructs Mr Hope.
Jesse knows what is on that page and she doesn't want to look at it. The human reproductive system. But she has to. It is the same in the other classes; lessons all tell her she is wrong. Her mother is wrong. She wishes it had been done to her when she was born, like everyone else. Why did her mother make her have to choose when?
“Hi,” says Artemis, as they walk to the lunch hall.
Chairs scrape along the floor and the cutlery clatters. The air thick with the smell of over cooked food and teenage hormones. Jesse isn't hungry, not after looking at those diagrams all morning.
“Randy says Zeus likes you,” says Artemis, flicking back her long, black hair as they queue up for their food.
Jesse can see four tiny holes in Artemis's earlobe, where she has taken her studs out for school.
“I dunno about that,” mumbles Jesse, wishing she could be on her own again, as usual. She normally avoids conversation whenever she can, sits in the corner gulping down her lunch, pretending to read a magazine, flicking idly over the fashion pages full of celebrities that all look the same and scanning the problem pages to see if there is ever a question from anyone like her. But there never is.
“No, he really does, he told Randy and everything. He wants to go out with you. I know he looks confident and everything but he's really quite shy. So, he's sort of asked Randy to ask me to ask you out for him!”
Jesse freezes as the dinner lady with luminous blue eye shadow spoons vegetable curry onto her plate.
“Don't you like him?” persists Artemis, grabbing an orange juice and passing one to Jesse.
Jesse shrugs and picks up her cutlery.
“He's gorgeous and really clever. What's not to like?”
“Maybe I'm just not ready for a boyfriend,” says Jesse, as Artemis follows her to her usual table in the corner and sits down.
“Oh, I get it,” says Artemis, waving her hands about. “You're scared! You're scared about having your first boyfriend. What, have you never kissed a boy before or something?”
Jesse bites her lip and slowly shakes her head.
“What, never?” asks Artemis, holding her spoon mid-air. “Not even with mouths closed? What about at the youth club disco? Come to think of it, I never saw you dance with anyone. Gosh, girl, I've got some work to do with you! Stick with Auntie Artemis and I'll soon have you coming out of your shell. I like a challenge.”
Artemis beams at Jesse as she tucks into a piece of naan bread. Jesse smiles and picks at hers. It would be good to have someone to talk to. She can see why Randy likes being around Artemis. She's bubbly and warm and seems to know what to do. Randy was inexperienced like her before Artemis but now look at him.
“You're right,” says Jesse. “I am scared.”
But not for the reasons Artemis thinks. She must never find out the truth.

Shanta Everington is the author of seven books, including three young adult novels – Give Me a Sign, Boy Red and latest release XY (joint winner of the Red Telephone Books YA Novel Competition). She has had all sorts of jobs in the past, from baking vegan muffins and working as a private tutor to appearing as a guest agony aunt and running a teen sexual health helpline. With an MA in Creative Writing with distinction, Shanta currently teaches Creative Writing with The Open University. She lives in London, UK, with her husband and two children.

Publisher website: http://www.trtpublishing.co.uk/xy.html

Author website: www.shantaeverington.co.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShantaEverAfter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanta.everington

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/XY-Shanta-Everington/dp/1907335323/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403088848&sr=8-1&keywords=9781907335327

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L1P1RPU

Goodreads page: www.goodreads.com/author/show/1419856.Shanta_Everington

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