4-For-Friday Blitz – presented by Month9Books with Giveaway

Welcome to the 4 for Friday Blitz for Crown of Ice by Vicki L. Weavil, Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton, Avian by Nicole Conway, and Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki, presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post.

Thyra Winther’s seventeen, the Snow Queen, and immortal, but if she can’t reassemble a shattered enchanted mirror by her eighteenth birthday she’s doomed to spend eternity as a wraith.

Armed with magic granted by a ruthless wizard, Thyra schemes to survive with her mind and body intact. Unencumbered by kindness, she kidnaps local boy Kai Thorsen, whose mathematical skills rival her own. Two logical minds, Thyra calculates, are better than one. With time rapidly melting away she needs all the help she can steal.

A cruel lie ensnares Kai in her plan, but three missing mirror shards and Kai’s childhood friend, Gerda, present more formidable obstacles. Thyra’s willing to do anything – venture into uncharted lands, outwit sorcerers, or battle enchanted beasts — to reconstruct the mirror, yet her most dangerous adversary lies within her breast. Touched by the warmth of a wolf pup’s devotion and the fire of a young man’s desire, the thawing of Thyra’s frozen heart could be her ultimate undoing.

CROWN OF ICE is a YA Fantasy that reinvents Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” from the perspective of a young woman who discovers that the greatest threat to her survival may be her own humanity.

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo! | TBD | iBooks

Vicki Lemp Weavil was raised in a farming community in Virginia, where her life was shaped by a wonderful family, the culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and an obsession with reading. Since obtaining her undergraduate degree in Theatre from the University of Virginia, she’s gone on to acquire two masters degrees, living in places as diverse as New York City and rural North Carolina. She’s currently the library director for a performing an visual arts university. Vicki loves good writing in any genre, and has been known to read seven books in as many days. She enjoys travel, gardening, and the arts. Vicki lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and some very spoiled cats.

 

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumbler

When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams falls out of the sky—literally. But David’s not here to find a girlfriend. He’s from another planet, and if Jess can’t help him get back to his ship, he’ll be stuck on Earth with nothing to look forward to but the pointy end of a dissection scalpel.

But her father runs their house like an army barracks, and with an alien on the loose, Major Dad isn’t too keen on the idea of Jess going anywhere. Ever. So how the heck is she supposed to help the sweetest, strangest, and cutest guy she’s ever met?

Hiding him in her room probably isn’t the best idea. Especially since her Dad is in charge of the squadron searching for David. That doesn’t mean she won’t do it. It just means she can’t get caught.

Helping David get home while protecting her heart—that’s gonna be the hard part. After all, she can’t really fall for a guy who’s not exactly from here.

As they race through the woods with Major Dad and most of the U.S. military one breath behind them, Jess and David grow closer than either of them anticipated. But all is not what it seems. David has a genocide-sized secret, and one betrayal later, they are both in handcuffs as alien warships are positioning themselves around the globe. Time is ticking down to Armageddon, and Jess must think fast if she’s to save the boy she cares about without sacrificing Earth—and everyone on it.

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo! | iBooks

Corporate Team Leader by day, and Ranting Writer by night. Jennifer M. Eaton calls the East Coast of the USA home, where she lives with her husband, three energetic boys, and a pepped up poodle.

Jennifer hosts an informational blog “A Reference of Writing Rants for Writers (or Learn from My Mistakes)” aimed at helping all writers be the best they can be.

Beyond writing and motivating others, she also enjoys teaching her dog to jump through hoops—literally.

Jennifer’s perfect day includes long hikes in the woods, bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, and snuggling up by the fire with a great book; but her greatest joy is using her over-active imagination constructively… creating new worlds for everyone to enjoy.

 

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

What kind of power is lurking inside him?

After a year of training to become a dragonrider, Jaevid Broadfeather has been sent home to rest during a three-month interlude. But when he returns to find the king drake has chosen Beckah Derrick as his new rider, Jaevid realizes something big is about to happen. Every fiber of his being is pushed to the breaking point as Jaevid battles through his avian year, preparing for the final graduation test of the battle scenario. But there is more standing in his way than a few pushups and fancy sword moves.

Jaevid must face a new fear as he is tormented by a gruesome nightmare of a mysterious gray elf warrior murdering the royal family of Maldobar. It seems obvious to him that this is some kind of message about how the war started long ago—until Felix assures him the king is very much alive. With his strange powers growing stronger by the day, and that violent dream replaying in his mind every night, Jaevid no longer wonders if he will pass his avian year or not . . . he wonders if he will even survive it.

The truth will soon be set loose.

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo! | TBD | IndieBound | iBooks

Nicole is the author of the children’s fantasy series, THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES, about a young boy’s journey into manhood as he trains to become a dragonrider. She has completed the first two books in the series, and is now working on the third and final book.

Originally from a small town in North Alabama, Nicole moves frequently due to her husband’s career as a pilot for the United States Air Force. She received a B.A. in English with a concentration in Classics from Auburn University, and will soon attend graduate school.

She has previously worked as a freelance and graphic artist for promotional companies, but has now embraced writing as a full-time occupation.

Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves watching children’s movies and collecting books. She lives at home with her husband, two cats, and dog.

 

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Fifty years ago The Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society.

To punish the guilty, he created the Hole, a place where sinners are branded according to their sins. Sinners are forced to live a less than human existence in deplorable conditions, under the watchful eye of guards who are ready to kill anyone who steps out of line.

Now, LUST wraps around my neck like thick, blue fingers, threatening to choke the life out of me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit, and the Hole is my new home.

Constant darkness.

Brutal and savage violence.

Excruciating pain.

Every day is a fight for survival.

But I won’t let them win. I will not die in the Hole.

I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumbler

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review – Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton

I rarely give a five-star rating to a book, but I couldn’t bring myself to give Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton anything less. Before I give you my review, here’s a little bit about the book.

Title: Fire in the Woods

Publication date: September 2014

Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.

Author: Jennifer M. Eaton

When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams falls out of the sky—literally. But David’s not here to find a girlfriend. He’s from another planet, and if Jess can’t help him get back to his ship, he’ll be stuck on Earth with nothing to look forward to but the pointy end of a dissection scalpel.

But her father runs their house like an army barracks, and with an alien on the loose, Major Dad isn’t too keen on the idea of Jess going anywhere. Ever. So how the heck is she supposed to help the sweetest, strangest, and cutest guy she’s ever met?

Hiding him in her room probably isn’t the best idea. Especially since her Dad is in charge of the squadron searching for David. That doesn’t mean she won’t do it. It just means she can’t get caught.

Helping David get home while protecting her heart—that’s gonna be the hard part. After all, she can’t really fall for a guy who’s not exactly from here.

As they race through the woods with Major Dad and most of the U.S. military one breath behind them, Jess and David grow closer than either of them anticipated. But all is not what it seems. David has a genocide-sized secret, and one betrayal later, they are both in handcuffs as alien warships are positioning themselves around the globe. Time is ticking down to Armageddon, and Jess must think fast if she’s to save the boy she cares about without sacrificing Earth—and everyone on it.

Now, onto my Review. Make sure you read all the way to the end to enter a Giveaway and earn a chance to win a very special present.

My Review

Let me start out by saying I don’t read a lot of Science Fiction. in fact, I don’t read any science fiction, but I LOVE Sci Fi movies and t.v. shows like Star Trek, Star Wars, Independence Day and most recently on t.v., Extant. Why do I like them? Because there are these little guys running through the plots

So, I suppose it’s no wonder I really enjoyed Fire in the Woods because it also has aliens, but they don’t look like this little guy.

No, the one in particular in Fire in the Woods is a hottie. You know. Tall, dark hair, turquoise eyes and to top it off, he’s incredibly innocent which just makes him as charming as an alien can get.  It’s no wonder our heroine, Jess, falls head over heals for the dude, especially since he takes on the form of a teen idol heart-throb actor that is burned in her recent memories.

What did I love about this book?

First of all, the pacing.  It’s quick. I barely had time to recuperate from one scene before a new one started.  For a YA read, this is very important because teens tend to like quick-paced books. There is no let up from the beginning to the end. What a roller coaster ride.

Next, I really enjoyed the voice of the main character. Jess is a typical teen. One moment she’s strong and knows what she wants, the next she’s scared, unsure, but determined. Once she gets something in her head, she doesn’t let it go. She has to see it through no matter what the consequences, even if it ticks off her military-tough dad. All that is important is that she stands by her principles and does what she thinks is right.

Our alien, David, is scared. All he wanted to do was earn points in his own father’s eyes, and as the story progresses, the reader falls deeply in love with his character, his faults, and more importantly to do what is right by his people and Jess’.

Too bad there are grown ups involved – both alien and human – who think they know better than the kids, and get in the way, and almost destroy everything Jess and David have built.

The book touches on so many issues like parent/child relationships, interspecies relationships and following your conscience and what you know is right no matter what anyone else says, does or believes.

Beneath all the running and explosions and fire and possible world annihilation, there is a sweet little romance theme that will keep girls turning the pages.

What I didn’t like?

At times I wanted the book to slow down a bit so I could catch my breath. Sometimes I felt rushed to get to the end, but not enough to make me stop reading.

I wish there had been a bit more time to develop the relationship between David and Jess. It seemed too quick and easy that Jess fell in love with someone she didn’t know. She also seemed too accepting of the whole alien thing, but not enough that I couldn’t suspend belief.

I would have liked a bit more of a tease at the end, creating a desire to HAVE to read book 2. As it was, the storyline wrapped up quite well, but I didn’t get a sense of urgency that I HAD to return to find out what happened next. Of course, the snippet in the back of the book for Book 2 – Ashes in the Sky – solved that issue and has me salivating like Pavlov’s dog for more.

So, to sum it up, if you like YA, science fiction, action-packed adventure, and romance, you’re going to love Fire in the Woods. It’s an un-put-downable book that will have you thinking about its many messages for several days after you read it.

I was given an ARC of the book from Month9Books in exchange for an honest review. I also read this as a beta reader and thoroughly enjoyed watching this novel grow from infancy into the fantastic novel that it is.

And now for the:

GIVEAWAYS!!!

Winner will be drawn October 25, 2014

Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton (INT).

One lucky winner will win One (1) custom-made necklace (used as inspiration for the necklace in Fire in the Woods).  Adjustable chain from 10 to 12 inches. T (US ONLY)

All you have to do is go to the Rafflecopter link below and enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c08c9e8e229/

Book info

Anything and everything you want to know about Fire in the Woods is below, including links to where you can purchase.

Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo! | iBooks

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Corporate Team Leader by day, and Ranting Writer by night. Jennifer M. Eaton calls the East Coast of the USA home, where she lives with her husband, three energetic boys, and a pepped up poodle.

Jennifer hosts an informational blog “A Reference of Writing Rants for Writers (or Learn from My Mistakes)” aimed at helping all writers be the best they can be.

Beyond writing and motivating others, she also enjoys teaching her dog to jump through hoops—literally.

Jennifer’s perfect day includes long hikes in the woods, bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, and snuggling up by the fire with a great book; but her greatest joy is using her over-active imagination constructively… creating new worlds for everyone to enjoy.

Author Links:  Website  | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

Fire in the Woods

Review

13 reasons why you need Reading Glasses

In two days, my speculative short story, THE PASSING OF MILLIE HUDSON, will appear alongside 12 other speculative short stories in the anthology, #READINGGLASSES. Take a look below at the thirteen reasons why you absolutely, have to have READING GLASSES:

TALES OF FICTION INFUSED WITH THE FANTASTICAL

From the publishers of the popular Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey comes a mesmerizing compilation of new fiction. Suspenseful and mysterious, with a touch of ironic humor, Reading Glasses will transport you to the very edge of reality. From life on a space station to tales that orbit a little too close to home, Reading Glasses is a compelling, fantastical departure from the familiar.

1.  THE MALOCCHIO by Bruce Capoferri

A young man in old Italy falls victim to a devil in a blue dress in an original fairy tale, based on the legends of “the evil eye.”

2.  The Icarus Option by John Farquhar

An old man with a terminal illness, who feels he got life all wrong, wants to make sure that at least he gets death right. Joe Hill is tired of this life, where modern gadgets have removed all real fun, familiar buildings are crumbling, and art and tradition all but forgotten. The answer he is looking for may lie in an old painting, The Fall of Icarus, and a popular new business called Thanatos. It’s a comedy, but probably shouldn’t be.

3.  Starstruck by Gregg Feistmann

While living on a space station to try to forget the past, Aaron Kramer encounters an exotic woman determined to be a part of his future.  She offers him the opportunity of a lifetime – several lifetimes – in exchange for a seemingly simple promise.

4.  The Passing of Mille Hudson by J. Keller Ford

When elderly spinster, Millie Hudson, returns to her childhood home to attend her sister’s funeral, she encounters touching memories and ghosts from her past. It’s not until the family vultures descend to lay claim to the estate that Millie decides to teach them a valuable lesson:  sometimes it is the way we leave this life that matters more than how we live it.

5.  The Beach House by Christine L. Hardy

Under the threat of international warfare, a woman coming to terms with the death of dear friends learns that their disappearance was not as permanent as it appeared.

6.  Fox and the Rose  by Amy Holiday

A struggling musician has fended off his father’s calls to join his wealthy family’s business for years, and facing 30 with an uncertain financial future, it’s starting to look like a good idea. But an ancestor with an axe to grind against the “all work and no play” philosophy has other plans.

7.  The Highborn by K.A. Magrowski

A highborn priestess’ faith is tested when she learns that even those she trusts the most can betray everything she believes in. Will the Goddess answer her prayers or will the virgin priestess fall prey to the evil designs others have planned?

8.  Sifkin’s Fence by Ray Rebmann

A man seeking escape from mistakes he’s made in his personal life, happens upon a dried up bayside settlement that has unfinished business with its own tragic past. In seeking to unlock the secret behind the sorrowful condition of Shellbank, the man is shown a possible way to resolve his own problems.

9.  Mason, On His Way Home by Randy Ribay

A teenage boy’s family drama is no secret, and the judgment of outsiders is painful. One terrible day he rescues a tiny turtle, and soon discovers that a hard exterior isn’t the solution.

10.  The Hearing of Memory’s Voice by J.J. Steinfeld

“The Hearing of Memory’s Voice” is the story of Jack Zwick, an 81-year-old former Yiddish Theatre actor recovering from a stroke, who shares a room in a neurological ward in 1979 Toronto with two other men: a middle-aged computer salesman recovering from a blow to the head by his wife, and an amnesiac in his early twenties who has been severely beaten. The old actor, who can remember lines from only one play—Ansky’s The Dybbuk—of his long acting career, and the amnesiac develop a friendship as the old actor attempts to prepare the amnesiac for a role in The Dybbuk and doctors attempt to find out who he is.

11. Mrs. Rabinski by Richard Voza

After a terminal diagnosis, grumpy old Mrs. Rabinski spends her final days plotting revenge. And everything goes to plan, until a reversal of fortune finds her last wishes may not be as final as she had hoped.

12. Unquiet Mind by Jessica A. Walsh

Incapable of sleep and forced to hide her condition, a young woman wonders tirelessly about her past while yearning for the comfort of a life left behind.

13.  Reading Glasses by Neal Wooten

In a dystopian future where reading and writing are against the law, a lowly fringe dweller named Mat discovers a pair of glasses that proves that the publishing world is alive and well… and incognito. He is determined to become a professional author — even if it kills him.

Book reviewers are more than welcome.

You don’t have to be a professional book reviewer. All we want are avid book readers to read the anthology and leave your comments on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. If you are interested in reviewing the anthology, please contact:

Amy Hollinger | (609) 204.7078 | amy@hypotheticalpress.com

Purchase Links

Reading Glasses will be available September 24, 2014 in eBook and Paperback through Amazon.com, Smashwords, and CreateSpace. I will provide links as they become available.

Launch Party

As I live in Florida, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to attend the Launch Party, but I am trying to get there. For those of you in the South New Jersey area, you may wish to attend for a spectacular night of reading, mingling and eating the best chocolate chip cookies in all South Jersey.

When:   October 24, 2014
Time:    7:00 PM
Where:  Victorian Savories Bakery Cafe, Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees, NJ

Featuring: #Giveaways, readings, meet-the-authors, behind-the-scenes, South Jersey Writers’ Group member’s books, and of course, the cookies.

Hope you guys can be there. If not, at least please pick up your copy of READING GLASSES and snuggle in to a night of awesome speculative fiction reading.

Epic fantasy music that inspires writing

Today, I’m working on the second book in my Chronicles of Fallhollow series. So much is happening so fast, my fingers can’t type fast enough to keep up with my brain and the scenarios it’s spitting out.  I normally don’t write with any music, but I found two awesome videos on YouTube that are keeping up with my lightning-fast muse. I might reach my 10,000 words after all.

#BreakYourCrayon? #Cowbell? What happened to #Groovy and #Heavy?

My son and I were cruising home in the car today when #WalkThisWay by #Aerosmith came on the radio. Of course, I had to turn it up because you just can’t listen to Aerosmith without the volume blowing out your eardrums.

Anyway, we pull into the driveway and lo and behold #BlueOysterCult’s song, #Don’tFeartheReaper comes on, which, by the way, is another song that must be played at ear-piercing volume. But alas. I turned the car off and left my son whining, saying, “Oh, come on, Mom. Cowbell.  Cowbell.”

Umm, #Cowbell?  What the heck is cowbell?  I went running to my Urban Dictionary. The last I heard, a cowbell was a bell you hung around a cow’s neck so you could keep up with where the bovine was. Something told me my son wasn’t asking for a cowbell in the traditional sense.  Here’s what I found out for all us vernacularly (is that even a word?) challenged adults who are older than dirt.

When your kid says “cowbell” it means “something good we need more of”. For instance, “My life is boring. I need more cowbell.”

It also has a literal reference. It seems it derived from a skit on Saturday Night Live when Will Farrell portrayed a member of the 80s rock band, Blue Oyster Cult, as they recorded “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” (ahhh, my brain is starting to see the connection with my son’s comment). During the skit, Farrell played the cowbell quite forcefully on the track, much to the dismay of the band, but the studio producer loved the cowbell playing so much, that he demanded more ‘cowbell’, thus the comment, ‘need more cowbell.’

As I continued to search through the Dictionary of strange urban vernacular, I stumbled upon a few other phrases that I thought you might like to incorporate into your every day speak, because, you know, we have to stay hip and with it.

Did you have any idea that ‘break your crayons” means someone is trying to make you sad or ruin your day? For example: “Dude, don’t worry about him, he’s just tryin’ to break your crayons. Just let it slide.” By the way, ‘slide’ still means “let it go.”  Whew.

Oh, and be careful when asking someone to come over and “meet your cat.” Yeah. You just asked them to have sex with you. *gasp*

How I long for the days when everything was either far out, groovy or heavy. Then again, our parents scratched their heads and rolled their eyes over those words and phrases, too, as evidenced by Doc in Back to the Future.

Just goes to show you each generation has their own ‘urban dictionary’. It’s up to us ancients to keep up with it and the times.

Peace out.

 

 

 

Cover Reveal: I Heart Robot by Suzanne van Rooyen and Giveaway #M9BFridayReveals

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

I Heart Robot by Suzanne van Rooyen

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

I HEART ROBOT Cover Art from Suzanne van Rooyen

I’m not the most artistically inclined. While I do love art and have been known to bust out the pencils and paints myself, it’s not an area where I’d consider myself particularly talented. In short, I knew that cover design was something best left to the professional and I had every confidence in Month9Books.

I am so grateful to Georgia McBride for allowing me to have the amount of input I did when it came to cover creation for I Heart Robot. This is a novel that is as much about a civil rights struggle in a futuristic, post-war city as it is about romance, and we wanted a cover that reflected both elements. Finding the right balance between romance and science fiction was a tall order, but Month9Books delivered in spades by presenting me with two stylistically different covers. I loved elements of both, and by working closely with the cover artist and with Georgia we managed to combine all the best parts of both original covers into what we have today: a cover that reflects the gritty world my characters live in while emphasizing the fact that this is above all, a love story.

Sixteen-year-old Tyri wants to be a musician and wants to be with someone who won’t belittle her musical aspirations.

Q-I-99 aka ‘Quinn’ lives in a scrap metal sanctuary with other rogue droids. While some use violence to make their voices heard, demanding equal rights for AI enhanced robots, Quinn just wants a moment on stage with his violin to show the humans that androids like him have more to offer than their processing power.

Tyri and Quinn’s worlds collide when they’re accepted by the Baldur Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. As the rift between robots and humans deepens, Tyri and Quinn’s love of music brings them closer together, making Tyri question where her loyalties lie and Quinn question his place in the world. With the city on the brink of civil war, Tyri and Quinn make a shocking discovery that turns their world inside out. Will their passion for music be enough to hold them together while everything else crumbles down around them, or will the truth of who they are tear them apart?

Title: I Heart Robot
Publication date: March 31, 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Suzanne van Rooyen

Suzanne is a tattooed storyteller from South Africa. She currently lives in Finland and finds the cold, dark forests nothing if not inspiring. Although she has a Master’s degree in music, Suzanne prefers conjuring strange worlds and creating quirky characters. When not writing, she teaches dance and music to middle schoolers and entertains her shiba inu, Lego. Suzanne is represented by Jordy Albert of the Booker Albert Agency.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

(Winners will receive their book on release day)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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#YARomance, LOUDER THAN WORDS, is finally here!

I have been waiting so long for this Y.A. romance novel, #LouderThanWords, to come out!  I am so happy, I’m jumping around like a Mexican Jumping Bean.  And, to make the release even extra special for me, the author, the lovely Iris St. Clair, put together a special post for me and all of you.  I’m so thrilled for Iris I can’t contain myself! Squeeeee!!!.  Time to run around and go tell more people the great news. In the meantime, enjoy Iris’ post. I expect to hear a lot of singing going on, folks. Oh, and make sure you scroll down to the bottom to enter the #Giveaway!!

Louder Than Words Playlist

I can’t write to music, but I am inspired by it. When I’m driving, my music is playing and I’m often plotting (in addition to minding the road). Music helps set the mood for those mobile mullings. I asked fellow GMMG author, Heather Van Fleet, on Twitter the other day why playlists appeal to readers and I found her answer intriguing. She wrote: “I love playlists because it gives readers the mindset into what an author is feeling/thinking during writing.”

Here are a few songs from the Louder playlist and the why behind my choice. Usually a few lines of lyrics snag my attention. Sometimes it’s the timbre of the singer’s voice. Other times it’s the tempo or atmospheric quality of the song. So, dear readers, hop aboard the carnival ride that is my mind for a few minutes.

1.  Bad Day by Daniel Powter.

Louder Than Words opens with a cowering heroine, Ellen. She’s in the girls rooming hiding from a shocking, appalling, confusing experience. Throughout much of the book, there is this sense of this poor girl having one crappy day after another. At the risk of sending listeners shrieking from the room because this song’s been played to death, I still had to choose it. But because you already know Louder Than Words is a romance, you can trust that I’ll give you a happy ending. The lyrics may be about a bad day, but there’s a fun piano score to leave you with the promise that no matter your troubles, it’s really not you … it’s just a bad day.

2.  Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men

I chose this one because of the pessimistic / optimistic banter between the female and male lead singers. Their playful back and forth belied the serious content of the lyrics. It reminded me a lot of Ellen and Rex and their “little” talks with him pumping her up with his positive outlook.

Her:  I don’t like walking around this old and empty house

Him:  So hold my hand, I’ll walk with you, my dear

Her:  The stairs creak as I sleep, it’s keeping me awake

Him:  It’s the house telling you to close your eyes

(Lyrics by Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson

3.  Blue Jeans by Lana Del Rey

I related two elements of this song to the Louder characters. The husky opening lines set a James Dean vibe. For you young’uns (myself included), James was one of the first “bad boys” of cinema. He’s also mentioned in the lyrics. Weaving in and out of this sultry yearning for a possibly unattainable boy is an ethereal chorus of “I will love you til the end of time.”

4.  Breathe In by Frou Frou

Okay, I picked this one mostly because I just love everything by Frou Frou and Imogen Heap (female vocalist of Frou Frou), but this song has always made me think of Ellen and her longing and patience for the day when she could finally win the one she loves.

And I’m high enough from all the waiting

To ride a wave on your inhaling

Cause I love you, no?

Can’t help but love you, no…

(Lyrics by Imogen Heap and Guy Sigsworth)

It’s got a nice jaunty sound with a strong bass line so there’s a little bit of a push pull between the lyrics and the music that hooked me. And how, exactly, do you ride a wave on someone’s inhaling? And how high would you need to be to do it? Food for thought, that. LOL

5.  If You’re Not The One by Daniel Bedingfield

This one I love because it’s a man trying to convince the object of his affections why they are right for each other despite her misgivings. He’s not going to give up on her. His persistence and absolute confidence that she is THE one for him, woos me like Rex did Ellen.

If you want to listen to the entirety of the Louder Than Words playlist, check it out on Spotify. The entire 56 minute list is comprised of:

• Come With Me Now by the Kongos
• Bad Day by Daniel Powter
• Hurricane by MS MR
• Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men
• Hot N Cold by Katy Perry
• My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson
• Blue Jeans by Lana Del Rey
• I’m With You by Avril Lavigne
• Breathe In by Frou Frou
• If You’re Not The One by Daniel Bedingfield
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ABOUT THE BOOK!

Louder Than Words
by Iris St. Clair

Release Date: 09/16/14

Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:

Disappointment has been on speed dial in Ellen Grayson’s life lately. Her dad died, her mom numbs the grief with drugs and alcohol, and her so-called friends have slowly abandoned her.

Trusting a popular teacher with her troubles should have been safe and should NOT have led to an unwelcome seduction attempt that made her desperate to escape the final moments of Junior year. Lesson learned. Best to keep all the sordid details to herself and trust no one.

Enter Rex Jacobi, a cocky boy, recently transplanted from New York City and fellow summer camp employee. Though his quick wit and confidence draws her in, she can’t let him get too close. And summer is just long enough and hot enough to keep a boy like that at arm’s length.

But by the time Rex’s charm wears down her resistance, it’s too late. He’s put Ellen on the “just friends” shelf and has shifted his romantic attentions to the impossibly annoying and perky anti-Ellen. Even worse, the teacher who tried to get her to sleep with him is still at it, preying on other girls while Ellen struggles to come to terms with what happened.

With her ability to trust as shaky as a chastity vow on prom night, Ellen must decide if she has enough remaining courage to speak up about the well-liked teacher and risk retribution, tell Rex how she really feels about him and risk heartbreak, or hold all her secrets inside. After all, it’s the only safe place she knows when the only thing louder than words is the fear of being rejected.

PURCHASE HERE:

Amazon

About the Author

Iris St. Clair is the pen name for a long-suffering cubicle worker by day, a Walter Mitty-like dreamer by night. (Her alter ego Tatiana Ivanadance also choreographs gravity-defying routines in those fantasies, but that’s another bio.)

No matter what genre she writes, she prefers witty, insecure heroines and kind, persistent heroes able to break through to the gooey heart inside.

In high school she was voted most likely to win at Monopoly and Clue, but least likely to throw a ball anywhere near a target. Thank goodness writing requires less hand-eye coordination, punctuation errors notwithstanding.

Iris believes in the two-year “fish or cut bait” dating rule and has a 20+ year marriage and two teenaged sons as proof of concept. She lives, writes, dreams and dances in the rainy Portland, OR area.

Author Links:

Website || Goodreads || Twitter || Facebook || Pinterest

GIVEAWAY:

Win a $10 Amazon gift card + ebook of Louder Than Words (INT)

Louder Than Words Giveaway Link

Related articles

• Louder than Words – a Review ~ Reader Girls blog
• Louder than Words – a Review ~ Underneath the Covers blog

Win an ARC of SECRET OF THE SOULS by Terri Rochenski

J. Taylor Publishing is giving away FIVE ARCs of Secret of the Souls by Terri Rochenski!

Check it out!

Thrust out of their homes by a human High Priest on a vengeful mission, the Natives of Derlund no longer have a place to call their own. One escaped capture, however, and now she, Hyla, is the only one who can save her people.

For, Hyla, though, saving her nation isn’t her ultimate goal—returning to the Pool of Souls is. Becoming its Guardian and preserving their faith is her heart’s desire. The perils of her current journey, though, could leave her unable to fulfill that dream.

To find her way back to the Pool, Hyla must live among dangerous, powerful humans willing to defend the Natives, and must submit herself—her Talents—to them. While her protection is paramount, plots to end Hyla’s life will push her to her physical and emotional limits.

On the edge of sanity, her courage tested, and convictions nearly broken, Hyla’s final test of loyalty to her faith comes with the death of one she could have loved.

Readers will experience Hyla’s spiritual and self-discovering journey once more, in this latest addition to the Pool of Souls duology.

And J. Taylor Publishing is giving away FIVE ARC copies.

To YOU!

You don’t even have to be a book blogger!

Nope, so long as you are willing to leave an honest review* by October 12th 2014, you are eligible to enter.

Interested?

Then just fill out the form and keep your fingers crossed.

You have until midnight of September 21st, 2014 to enter.

*A review should consist of your honest thoughts regarding a book, usually a few paragraphs long and around 150 – 500 (or more, if desired) words in length.

About Terri Rochenski

Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with the fantasy genre.

Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.

#TheMockingjayLives – Official Trailer of the newest Hunger Games movie

“You will rescue #Peeta at the earliest opportunity. Or you will find another #Mockingjay…”

 

 

Who else just got shivers????

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