I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler is iBookstore Book of the Week! Get it FREE!!

I’m Not Her by Janet Gurtler is currently featured on iTunes "iBookstore Book of the Week” as of  May 21st. 

The book is being offered FREE for this week, and we were hoping you will go and grab a copy, so you can discover the magic of Janet Gurtler’s characters and stories.

Buy: I'm Not Her on iTunes.com. *Available on iTunes.com

“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel envy…” 

I’m Not Her is a journey of self-discovery for one teen who learns more about herself and her relationship with her sister and family when tragedy strikes. 

Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. 

Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?

Author Interview with Janet Gurtler

What inspired you to write I’m Not Her?

I wanted to look at what would happen when someone who is perfect and has everything (on the outside) suddenly has it drastically taken away. And what happens when family roles are suddenly altered or reversed. I remember envying others when I was a teen and wanted to look beneath the illusion of “perfect”.

I’m Not Her is about two sisters finding their way through a tragic event. Did you draw from experience with Tracey (your sister) the dynamic between Tess and Kristina?

I was kind of shy around Tracey when we were teens. She was three years older than me and so much more sophisticated back then. THAT changes drastically ha ha just kidding. Tracey was taller and thinner (still is) and I envied her. I did use some of our dynamics in the book sister relationship, but Tess and Kristina are more forced into growing intimacy while Tracey and I developed ours more naturally. Tracey and I also bonded over the weirdness of our parents (but don’t tell them that. ) 

Everyone deals tragedy differently. At what point did you know you were going to pair humor with hardship and how did you learn to balance the two?

I think dry humor is my intrinsic way of dealing and I passed this trait on to Tess. I like humor in sad situations if it is used appropriately. Tess’s humor is much like my own. Kind of self depreciating and okay maybe a little inappropriate at times, but it’s a way of coping. As Tess becomes stronger and is able to express herself more, she’s able to get the things she thinks outside of her head and it helps lighten some really dark moments with her sister.

Now for some fun stuff: What’s a typical day of writing like for you?

Write write. Facebook. Write write. Twitter. Write Write. Goodreads. Write write. Google. This goes on from 9-3 and then I pick my son up and take him to swim club. I may write again in the evening if I’m deep in a book, but usually that’s when I waste more time reading celebrity gossip or reading other people’s YA!

You say you’re addicted to the Internet, where can fans find you most?

In my living room? On the couch. Oh. Where on the INTERNET?? Tee hee. I am always on Twitter and Facebook. Every single day. Many thousands of times a day! I'd love to hear from anyone who read I'm Not Her and liked it! If you didn't like it, please take it up with my mother.

Janet's Other Books;
  

A Review for The Journals of Kara and Jason by Charlie Wood

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie
Release Date: May 9th, 2013
Finished Date: March 4th, 2013

Publishers: Bloomsbury
Source: For Review 

Format: Kindle
Pages: 139

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

A different kind of paranormal romance.

Eighth grade is not going well for fourteen-year-old Kara Bridges. Her best friend Stace has suddenly stopped talking to her, and she is having a hard time adjusting to life without her only real friend.

Luckily for Kara, she soon meets Jason, a foreign exchange student from Europe. And though Jason is more than a little awkward, he and Kara quickly form a friendship, bonding over what it's like to feel like an outsider who doesn't belong.

However, when Jason suddenly returns four years later when Kara is a senior in high school, she realizes not everything was what it seemed. Kara's world—and the way she looks at the world—is about to change forever.

THE JOURNALS OF KARA AND JASON is a 40,000-word novel about being young, falling in love, and all the terrible, wonderful feelings that come along with it.

The Review: I just want to start off by saying this book was beautiful. It is indeed ‘A different kind of paranormal romance’ as we follow a pair of 14yr olds as they discover the value of an unconditional friendship at a time in their lives when everything is wrapped up in hormones. When we first meet Kara, she has lost her best friend and is struggling to come to terms with the why of it all. I’m sure we have all been there when we were 14 and you seem to drift away from friends towards others, as you meet new people and try to fit into what you need to be. Kara is the one left behind, she’s slightly bitter& alone until she meets Jason, a foreign exchange student being bullied by some ‘Jocks’ and steps in, creating a tentative connection between the pair. Jason is slightly odd, a bit weird, not really fitting in anywhere but with the help of Kara, he blossoms. They share a lovely friendship, building into more intense feelings that they both don’t realise are there, they’re both confused about what they feel and deal with it in typical fashion. But it’s not only about that, what they give each other is unconditional and as Jason becomes comfortable in himself and his surroundings, he also helps Kara get over the feeling she had of being friendless. They have fun, they talk, they laugh, they share something that builds into a sweet and innocent first love which is a joy to read, until Jason suddenly leaves, leaving Kara heartbroken and back to the self -doubter she was at the beginning of the book.
After a break in both journals, Kara returns 4 years later, along with Jason and we get the truth-because someone was most definitely keeping secrets. People always say ‘you never forget your first love’ and nothing could be more true for Kara & Jason but at what cost?

I don’t really read books about younger teens, I don’t think anyone would willingly revisit their early teens but honestly, I thought this book was great, it was a joy to read and I’m glad I took the chance. The relationship between our two main characters was lovely – their outlook on life, the way they grabbed it, the enthusiasm they shared, the acceptance of each other for who they are, the fun they had, the laughter and ultimately their love – was beautiful. You could feel everything they were going through, how intense those emotions are at 14, how you’re on the fence of self discovery& first love, seen through innocent eyes and a naivety that was so sweet and likable – I just loved it, if only we all still saw things from that perspective. The latter part of the book is the paranormal part, just a smidgen but just enough and we get to see how much this connection between them has changed things. It was nice twist because I was starting to wonder where that element was, I would have liked more but it fit perfectly and I wasn’t disappointed. This was a really good read that is so easy to get lost in, I know I read it in one sitting and most of it was done with a smile on my face and a good feeling in my heart…. I hope you all give this feel good book a go too. 

Waiting on Wednesday (#40)

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Jess's WoW

The Firey Heart (Bloodlines #4)
by Richelle Mead
Release date: November 19th, 2013

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe

Jess's Thoughts: Another Richelle book from me this week. Really loving this spinoff to  Vampire Academy, and I cannot wait to read this. After the events of Indigo Spell, this is going to be amazing. More Adrian and even more Sydrian...together. *sigh*. Perfection.

Donna's WoW

The Sound 
by Sarah Alderson 
Release date: August 1st, 2013


When aspiring music journalist Ren Kingston takes a job nannying for a wealthy family on the exclusive island of Nantucket, playground for Boston's elite, she's hoping for a low-key summer reading books and blogging about bands. Boys are firmly off the agenda.

What she doesn't count on is falling in with a bunch of party-loving private school kids who are hiding some dark secrets, falling (possibly) in love with the local bad boy, and falling out with a dangerous serial killer...

The gripping new stand-alone novel from the author of Hunting Lila. Out August 2013


Donna's thoughts: Sarah Alderson is one of my favourite authors, so I'm super excited to see her write a contemporary book. I know it will be epic!! 

<
What's your "waiting on" pick this week?

Want to participate? 
Grab the logo, post your own WoW entry on your blog, and leave your link at Breaking the Spine. 

Happy Reading!

A Review for Unbreakable (Unravelling #2) by Elizabeth Norris

Posted by Donna
Release Date: June 6th, 2013 
Finished Date: May 4th, 2013

Publishers: HarperCollins
Source: For Review 

Format: Kindle 
Pages: 416

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

24 meets the X Files in the amazing follow up to Unravelling.

Four months after Ben disappeared through the portal to his home universe, Janelle believes she’ll never see him again. Her world is still devastated, but civilisation is slowly rebuilding, and life is finally starting to resume some kind of normality. Until Interverse agent Taylor Barclay shows up. He’s got a problem, and he needs Janelle’s help. Somebody from an alternate universe is running a human trafficking ring – kidnapping people and selling them on different Earths. And Ben, with his unique abilities, is the prime suspect. To make things worse, Janelle learns that someone she cares about – someone from her own world – has become one of the missing.

Now Janelle has five days to track down the real culprit. Five days to locate the missing people before they’re lost forever. Five days to reunite with the boy who stole her heart. Can she uncover the truth before everyone she cares about is killed?

In this heart-pounding sequel to Unravelling, author Elizabeth Norris explores the sacrifices we make to save the people we love and the worlds we’ll travel to find them.

The Review: “Everything that tried to stand between us doesn't matter. 
We might have broken a little. But now we're stronger in those broken places. And we're going to face whatever comes next together.” 

3.5 Stars! 

Elizabeth Norris blew me away with her debut novel; Unravelling, so you can imagine how excited I was when I managed to get an advanced copy of the sequel; Unbreakable (Thanks HarperC!). I was dying to be back in this fantastic world but I found the sequel wasn't as enjoyable as the first book. *Sad face*

Unbreakable ended on a huge cliff-hanger, a cliff-hanger that was completely jaw-dropping, so I was excited to see how Elizabeth started of Unbreakable. Now, I'm not saying I completely hated it because I didn't but, I didn't think it had as much spark as Unravelling. I enjoyed the new plot (kind of), I enjoyed getting to know the characters even better but what I missed was Ben. Ben made a huge impact on me - I mean how could he not? So when he didn't make an appearance until just after half-way through the book, I was gutted! He definitely didn't have enough time in the spotlight and I missed his presence. I found the plot of the story just plodded along until he returned - which is sad because I really wanted this sequel to be epic! When Ben then returned, the story picked up. I found I was finally interested in the book but of course, no sooner than it got interesting, it ended. Catch 22 really! But in the end, there really wasn't enough Ben! 

As I mentioned I only kind of liked the new plot and the reason for that was, it didn't really see the point of it. I much preferred the plot from Unravelling and thought it would have been better if it was a spin off from that. But trafficking humans into another world really didn't do anything for me. I kind of feel like the first half of Unbreakable wasn't needed and maybe this series would have worked better as a stand-alone, rather than a duo, but hey, that's just my thoughts. 

Despite my problems that I had with Unbreakable, there were so good points to the book too. Janelle will always be one of my favourite reasons that I enjoy this series. I love her as a main character, she's kick-ass, feisty and so snarky. She's everything you want from a main character and then, there are the secondary characters like Barclay and Jared. And also I was really satisfied with the conclusion. The ending was action packed and had me gripped to the edge of my seat, I loved how everything came together and of course, Ben and Janelle's ending was great. 

So, in all, even though I had some small problems with Unbreakable, I would still recommend this series to everyone. I have to say I'm excited to see what comes next from Elizabeth Norris because if it's anything like Unravelling, then I know it will be epic! 

Wings of Arian on sale TODAY!!

Wings of Arian will be on special for one day only TODAY at 99 cents for Kindle, Nook and Kobo.  (Possibly Itunes, if their site can change it fast enough.)

Purchase Links:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo Books

Kiora thought she had never heard a lie until she was sixteen. But she was wrong. Her entire existence was based on nothing but. She thought that evil did not exist. Lie. That magic was not real. Lie. And that the land of Meros was all there was. One more lie. With Aleric telling her that evil is knocking on the door and that she is the only one who can stop them she has a choice to make. Refuse, or start the wildest most painful ride of her life. She reluctantly dips her toe into her new existence of magic and threads, dragons and shapeshifters, and the person who wants to take control of it all: the evil Dralazar. However, this journey was never meant to be hers alone. She will be accompanied by a Protector. To her disbelief, and utter irritation they name the hotheaded, stubborn, non -magical, (albeit gorgeous) Prince Emane. They will have to trust each other with their lives, but right now Kiora would settle for a non hostile conversation. And now it comes down to this, If you had never heard a lie, would you know when you heard one? Is knowing good from evil innate? Kiora finds herself having to decide who lives and who dies on those very questions.

Wings of Arian Excerpt:

Emane came to her after dinner with two swords and handed her one.
“What is this for?” she asked, as the weight of the sword jerked her arm to the ground.
“I have decided you need to learn how to fight,” he said, laying his blade across his hand, examining it.


“You have, have you?” She grunted, trying to wrench the sword back up.
“Well, Aleric and I decided.”

Emane shrugged, dropping the sword back to his side. “If I do get separated from you and you happen to run out of magic, you need to be able to defend yourself. I have already spoken to the Guardians and they have promised to make you a sword that is your size. But for now, we will practice with these.”

“Emane, I don't even know how to hold one of these things.”


“Lesson number one, it is called a sword.”


“All right, a sword,” she said, placing a hand on her hip. “Problem number two, I can’t lift it.”


“Try,” he said, jerking his head towards her sword.


Rolling her eyes, she grabbed the hilt, struggling under the weight of it, managing to pull it up a few inches before the weight dragged her back down to the ground. Emane burst out into laughter, taking it out of her hands.

“Well worth it!” he grinned, shouldering her sword. When she looked at him confused, Emane leaned forward as if telling her a secret, “I really just wanted to watch you not be able to do something.”

“Are you serious?” she sputtered. “You gave me that sword just to laugh at me? Did you even talk to Aleric?” Her face flushed.

“Of course I talked to Aleric.” Emane was trying to stifle his laughter but it wasn't working. “And I am going to teach you to fight.” He buried the swords into the ground so that they were standing straight up. “But we normally don't start with those. He pulled out two wooden swords he had stashed behind a tree. “Normally we start training with these,” he said, spinning them around in an arc before presenting her with the much smaller, much lighter wooden sword.

She snatched it out of his hand. “You really are a jerk, you know.”

“Hmmm,” he said smirking, tossing his sword from one hand to the other. “I'm happy with jerk. It’s much nicer than what you used to call me.”

“You're that too.” She half grinned.


“Nope, we have downgraded to jerk and I am keeping it.” He started circling around her. “First things first, you need to protect yourself. I will try to get past your guard. If you block me, you win. If I get past your guard, I win. And,” he drug out. “I will expect to be paid with a kiss.”

“What do I get if I win?” she asked.

Emane took advantage of the question and jabbed in quickly, connecting with her arm. “One kiss for me,” he winked, backing out again.

“That was cheating!” she objected.

Emane swung around the blade, lightly connecting the flat side of the sword between her shoulder blades.

“Two kisses for me.”

“Oohhh,” she growled. “You are an arrogant horse’s ass!” She took a protective stance and blocked the next blow.

“Nice job.” He danced around her and connected with her opposite shoulder. “Three kisses for the horse’s ass,” he gloated. “Come on, Kiora, you have to move your feet.” His eyes glinted mischievously.

She started to move and circle, following his lead. She blocked blow after blow, but missed at least one out of every three. “Come on, Emane,” she complained. “Take it easy on me. It’s my first day.”

“I am taking it easy on you,” he laughed. “You’re terrible!”

“Thanks a lot,” she said, trying to force a glare at him. “You’re not exactly encouraging.” She lifted her sword to block another shot.

Pushing his sword down over hers, he leaned in, “I actually like the fact that you’re terrible, more kisses for me.”

Kiora heard a few snickers from behind her and noticed that the camp was turning up to watch the training session. Pushing back, Emane jabbed in and caught her in the stomach.

“Hey!” she yelled, doubling over.

“That’s at least fifteen kisses, I am losing count.” Spinning in a wide lazy circle, he asked the spectators, “Anyone want to keep track for me?”

“You...are, such a...”

“Uh-uh,” he said, shaking his finger at her, “we have little ears amongst us, watch your language.”

“Jerk” she yelled.

“That’s better.” Emane swung again and she soundly blocked.

It went on like this for longer than she had wanted. The crowd cheered when she blocked a shot and they counted kisses when Emane made it past her guard. And they laughed at every joke he made, which only encouraged him.

“Please,” she gasped. “I am dying, can’t we take a break?”

“Breaks are for girls!” He taunted her, dancing around her with the stupid, albeit gorgeous, grin plastered on his face.

“I am a girl, Emane.” He moved in to take another shot, which she barely blocked. “I mean it, Emane, I am going to cheat if we don't stop.” He raised his sword over his head. With a flick of her wrist she swept his feet out from under him. He reached for his sword, but with another flick of the wrist, the sword slid across the ground out of his reach. She dropped to her knees, putting her sword to his neck, “Do you yield?”

The crowd was in hysterics. Emane stretched his neck looking around. “How many kisses am I owed?” he shouted to the crowd.

“Seventy-two,” the answer came.

“Hmmm, seventy-two kisses,” he put both arms behind his head. “That should be enough. Yes, I yield.”

“Thank heavens!” Kiora collapsed on the ground next to Emane as the crowd cheered and laughed with approval.

Emane rolled over and leaned on his elbow, looking down at her through half-open lids. “I think the Lady should pay up.” He leaned down and kissed her “One down, seventy-one more to go.” Emane jumped to his feet and offered her a hand up. “All right, folks, that’s it for today.” There were some moans and groans as the crowd dispersed.

“You are shameless, you know that?” she said, brushing off her pants.


“So you tell me.” He threw his arm over her shoulder. “Let's go get something to drink.”

Author Bio & Links:

Devri Walls lives in Kuna Idaho with her husband and two kids. She has worked as a music teacher and currently, a preschool teacher. She majored in theater and her love of a story still drives her today. Thankfully, she has finally found an outlet for all the voices in her head. Her first novel, Wings of Arian, is available on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and Apple. The second book in the Solus trilogy, Wings of Tavea is scheduled for release Nov 2012.

--Author Website: http://www.writingmyfuture.com/

--Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5768569.Devri_Walls

--Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DevriWalls

--Twitter: https://twitter.com/DevriWalls

Showcase Sunday (#36)

Showcase Sunday is a new weekly meme hosted by Vicky @ Books Biscuits and Tea. We will now be taking part in Showcase Sunday instead of In My Mailbox. If you'd like to join see HERE for more details.

eBooks for Review:

  

The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

The Rules of You and Me by Shana Norris

Crossing by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Bought AudioBooks:

  

Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

Last Rite by Lisa Desrochers

Me and My Invisible Guy by Sarah Jeffery

For Review:

Crash by Nicole Williams

Clash by Nicole Williams

Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols

Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Teen, Simon & Schuster UK.

A Review for Goddess (Starcrossed #3) by Josephine Angelini

Posted by Donna
Release Date:  May 23rd, 2013
Finished Date: May 10th, 2013

Publishers: Macmillian
Source: For Review 

Format: Paperback
Pages: 480

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched.

The Review: Oh yeah!! Now that's what I'm talking about!!! Josephine Angelini is back and back better than ever, because Goddess is a cracking finale - one full of action, drama, love and an epic past and I absolutely loved it. 

It's no secret that how much I loved Starcrossed and it's no secret how much I didn't like Dreamless. So, in all honestly, I was worried what Josephine would do with the final book in this series, but I'm so over the moon she did us readers proud!!! It is one of them books that gives you tingles while reading it, and I was literally a bundle of nerves all the way through. I did have to peak at the ending before I started reading it though - I know, so bad! But I needed to prepare myself. ;) 

Helen has really grown through-out this series, she's gone from a normal teenager to a girl who is now  one of the strongest with supernatural powers. I believe she’s handled everything well and it’s been great to watch her journey. It was amazing to watch her come into her powers, test them out and then finally start to use them. Her journey has been an emotional one - especially when it comes to Lucas. 

Lucas, my boy Lucas! How I do love him. He's amazing and really he's such an open book, you can see everything he feels from his face and I felt so bad for him through-out Dreamless. Imagining loving a girl you can't have, but knowing you won't be able to move on ever? Yep, that's why I felt for him. He's such a loyal person, that it's hard not to love him.

The whole Lucas, Helen, Orion love triangle was one of the main reasons I didn’t love Dreamless. In all honestly, I’m pretty sick of so many authors introducing them. They’re kind of played out now, so I’m glad Josephine Angelini didn’t drag it out and that Helen made the right choice in the end. Or should I say, the author made the right choice for Helen. I also adore the connections Helen has to Hector, Orion, Cassandra and James….all of them really. Each one of these characters has something very unique about them and they’re definitely characters I won’t forget in a long time.

In all, I may have had my up's and down's with the Starcrossed trilogy but it's one that is very unforgettable and hopefully I’ll have time to re-visit this series in the future.