Massive Cover Reveal Post!

I haven't had a cover post in a while, and I haven't really been spending much time on GoodReads, so there is a good chance that you may have already seen these. But since they are new to me, I figured I'd post them. :)

Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken

Hardcover, 512 pages

Expected publication: October 15th 2013 by Disney-Hyperion 

GoodReads Description:

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

Once We Were (The Hybrid Chronicles #2) by Kat Zhang

Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication: September 17th 2013 by HarperCollins 

GoodReads Description:

Eva was never supposed to have survived this long. As the recessive soul, she should have faded away years ago. Instead, she lingers in the body she shares with her sister soul, Addie. When the government discovered the truth, they tried to “cure” the girls, but Eva and Addie escaped before the doctors could strip Eva’s soul away.

Now fugitives, Eva and Addie find shelter with a group of hybrids who run an underground resistance. Surrounded by others like them, the girls learn how to temporarily disappear to give each soul some much-needed privacy. Eva is thrilled at the chance to be alone with Ryan, the boy she’s falling for, but troubled by the growing chasm between her and Addie. Despite clashes over their shared body, both girls are eager to join the rebellion.

Yet as they are drawn deeper into the escalating violence, they start to wonder: How far are they willing to go to fight for hybrid freedom? Faced with uncertainty and incredible danger, their answers may tear them apart forever.

Angel Fever (Angel #3) by L.A. Weatherly
Expected publication: November 12th 2013 by Candlewick 

GoodReads Description:

In the devastated remains of the world, millions of people live in "refugee" camps provided by the angels who have all but enslaved humanity. As this angelic stranglehold tightens, Willow and Alex are recruiting and training new Angel Killers while struggling to hold ground on the celestial battlefield. But Willow continues to have feelings for Seb, and her love and resolve are tested as a shattering revelation sends Alex on a separate journey. Now that the final battle versus the angels is about to begin-and the fate of the world hangs in the balance-each of them must face the consequences of their own choices. Will love endure? Will the human race survive?

Fire and Ash (Benny Imura #4) by Jonathan Maberry

Paperback, 448 pages

Expected publication: September 3rd 2013 by Simon & Schuster Childrens Books 

GoodReads Description: 

Benny Imura and his friends have made it to Sanctuary, they've found the jet and they've discovered that civilization is struggling to regain its foothold in the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse. Scientists are on the verge of finding a cure for the zombie plague. It should be time for celebration, but it's not. Benny's best friend, Chong, has been infected by an arrow dipped in the flesh of a zombie and he hovers between life and death and Dr McReady, a researcher who may have the critical formula for a cure, has gone missing. So Benny convinces Captain Ledger to mount a search and rescue mission to find the doctor and help Chong. But with the Reapers still pursuing their plan to turn all zombies into super-fast shock troops even if they can save Chong, can they save themselves? In the fourth book of the thrilling and emotionally charged Rot & Ruin series, the battle to end all battles is about to begin...

BZRK Reloaded (BZRK #2) by Michael Grant

Hardcover, 432 pages

Expected publication: October 8th 2013 by EgmontUSA

GoodReads Description:  

From best-selling author Michael Grant, comes the highly anticipated, terrifying, and mind-bending second book in the BZRK trilogy.

The entire BZRK cell--including Noah and Sadie--has been left in pieces after the last round of battle with the Armstrong Twins, conjoined brother who plot to rob mankind of its free will. Vincent's mind is shattered, and his memories hold dangerous secrets--secrets that Lear, BZRK's mysterious leader, will stop at nothing to protect.

Meanwhile, Bug Man has taken control of the President's brain, but playing with sanity is a dangerous game. The consequences can spiral way out of control, and the Armstrong Twins are not people Bug Man can afford to disappoint.

The nano is as terrifying, exhilarating, and unpredictable as ever. But the wall of secrets that surrounds it is cracking. What will it reveal? And once the dust has settled, who will be sane enough to find out?

Searching for Someday (Love Spells) by Jennifer Probst

Paperback, 320 pages

Expected publication: November 26th 2013 by Simon and Schuster

GoodReads Description:   

Kate has given up on love—at least for herself. She is both blessed and cursed with the ability to sense a romantic connection between two people—a gift that her family passed down for generations. When Kate launches her own matchmaking company, Kinnection, with her two best friends in a cozy New York town, she has to put aside her own romantic disasters to make her business a success.
But when a furious man stalks into her office and accuses her business of being a scam, Kate is given the ultimate challenge to prove herself. Slade puts himself in her hands and asks Kate to find him love. Enraged at his arrogance but stubbornly eager to prove herself, Kate agrees, dedicating herself to the journey of finding him love…only to find herself falling for him along the way.

The Trap (The Hunt #3) by Andrew Fukuda

Hardcover, 304 pages

Expected publication: November 5th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin 

GoodReads Description: 

The explosive finale to The Hunt trilogy—perfect for fans of The Hunger Games!

After barely escaping the Mission alive, Gene and Sissy face an impossible task: staying alive long enough to stop an entire world bent on their destruction. Bound on a train heading into the unknown with the surviving Mission girls, Gene, Sissy, David, and Epap must stick together and use everything they have to protect each other and their only hope: the cure that will turn the blood-thirsty creatures around them into humans again. Now that they know how to reverse the virus, Gene and Sissy have one final chance to save those they love and create a better life for themselves. But as they struggle to get there, Gene's mission sets him on a crash course with Ashley June, his first love . . . and his deadliest enemy.

I'm going to have another review up today (Immortal Eclipse). I want to apologize to Sherry for taking so long. Things have been sort of crazyballs this past week (fighting back against identity theft, screwing up my foot, 11+ hour workdays, Deprogrammed edits, etc). I'm hoping things calm down a bit so that I can get some more reading in while knocking out some writing. *fingers crossed*

Book Review: Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Paperback, 345 pages

Published: April 4th 2013 by Spencer Hill Press 

Review Copy: ARC From Publisher
Purchase: Amazon -- Barnes & Noble

Description from GoodReads:

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

My Review:
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off, I would like to apologize to Spencer Hill Press for taking so long to post this review. I meant to post it two months ago; unfortunately, things have been a bit crazy on my end. Sorry!

I thought that Deity destroyed me. I was wrong. Apollyon nearly killed me.

What I love most about Jennifer’s books is that it really is easy to lose myself in the world she creates.

Apollyon was no different.

Oh. My. Gods. What a ride.

I’m going to try to make this a worthwhile review, while also making sure to skip over any spoilers (because this is not a book you want spoiled for you, at all).

If you read Elixir, which you really should before diving into Apollyon, you’ll have an idea of what to expect since it pretty much picks up where that novella leaves off.

Alex is still unstable, and Aiden is still doing his best to help her. He refuses to give up hope that she is still in there – that there is a way to break the connection to Seth. It’s an emotional way to open the story, but it definitely prepares readers for the tissue fest that lies ahead. (Don’t worry, there is still plenty of action, but there will be tears, people.)

This story focuses a lot on Alex’s growth as a character. She’s not the same snarky brat we first met back in Daimon. She’s a lot more mature, a lot more selfless, and a lot stronger. She has gone through so much, but it is nowhere near what she is forced to go through in this book. (Seriously, that ending? Gah. You’re killing me, Jenn!)

A few other things worth mentioning:

Aiden: The relationship between Aiden and Alex is perfect, especially with this installment. He is Alex’s rock, and even though she’s more than capable of taking care of herself for the most part, I don’t think that she would’ve been capable of the things that she did in Apollyon without him. He rooted her, gave her strength, and vice versa.

Death: There is one death in this book that really, really got to me. It wasn’t a character that I particularly cared for early on, but as the series progressed, I really came around to them. And the way the death was written, it was incredibly heartbreaking.

The final battle: When our mystery guest arrived, I had an idea of who it would be, and while I was right, I wasn’t expecting THAT. I was on the edge of my seat during that chapter.

Seth: My thoughts on Seth kept going back and forth. At times I hated him, and at times I felt for him. It isn’t easy to make readers feel sorry for the villain of the story, but Jennifer managed to make me care about him.

I wasn’t expecting the emotional punch that I received from this book. At all. And even though it hurt, I loved every second of it. It gives you an idea of what is coming with the final installment, Sentinel.

I’m going to be sad to see this series end later this year. I’ve come to really love these characters (with some exceptions) and it is going to suck to see their stories come to an end.

If you’ve been putting this series off, you’re crazy. This is a must read series!

View all my reviews

Saying Goodbye to "Capture".

Capture was the first novel that I ever wrote. I actually wrote it during NaNoWriMo 2010. The first draft sucked. Seriously. But I was still proud of myself for finishing a novel. I adored Autumn and Ian, and I couldn't wait to share them with the world. Once I finished revisions last August, I made the story available through all of the e-retailers thinking I'd find other readers that loved Autumn and Ian as much as me.

Unfortunately, that never happened.

As a writer, it is hard to focus on a story when you know that most readers hate it.
Release was originally going to be my next project, followed by Deprogrammed, since some readers have been waiting since 2010 for more of Autumn and Ian. When I saw the poor response to Capture, I decided to just skip ahead to Deprogrammed.

I have a lot invested in Autumn's story, but honestly, sometimes you just have to learn to let things go.

So, I'm letting Capture go.

I will unpublish the title on June 1st, 2013. After that, you will not be able to purchase a copy.

At some point, I may write Release.
I just don't have it in me right now.

<3 Nicole

Teaser Tuesday: Strength (Outbreak, 0.8) + Updates!

I can't really post anymore teasers from Deprogrammed without spoiling anything, so instead, how about a teaser from Strength (Outbreak, 0.8)?

Taylen was nothing more than a girl clinging to hope that, outside of this hell, there was a free world; a world that we had convinced ourselves no longer existed, although, in reality, we were the reason that it had stopped existing.

We allowed ourselves to forget, allowing the dreadful memories of the Outbreak to overshadow the happier ones.

After living under Troum's rule for ten-years, it was easy to forget what once was.

I had almost forgotten, but she reminded me.

I took one last glance at my room, at the Sector clothes that lay in a pile by my bed, and reached for the doorknob.

This would be a new beginning, a chance to start over, something we hadn’t been given after the Outbreak.

And because I fail at blogging anymore, here are a few updates:

In May, Submerged will be going on tour.

Here is the current schedule:

May 13 - Rotten Apple Reads *Interview

Snuggling on the Sofa *Review

Brianna Lee Book Reviews *Blurb

May 14 - Library of a Book Witch *Guest post

Shortie Says *Review & Excerpt (blogger's choice)

I Talk Books! *Review & Favorite Quote

The serial reader *Review & Favorite Quotes

May 15 - Paranormal Indulgence *Interview 

Leeanna.me *Review

We Fancy Books *Blurb & Excerpt (blogger's choice)

Magic of Words *Blurb & Playlist (blogger's choice)

Moosubi Reviews! *Review & Favorite Quote

May 16 - Love of Books *Guest post

Never Ending Stories *Review 

Primrose Musings *Review & Favorite Quote

A Dream Within A Dream *Review & Excerpt (blogger's choice)

The Eater of Books *Review & Favorite Quotes

May 17 - The Cherry on Top *Interview

Read Write and Read Some More *Guest post

Book-Marks The Spot *Review

The reader lines *Review

Whatever You Can Still Betray *Blurb & Excerpt (blogger's choice)

And in July, Program 13 will be going on tour. If you're interested, you can currently sign up for that one by going here.

I posted this on Facebook, but just in case anyone missed it, here it goes:

Just a heads up: I'm currently moving my books from Smashwords to Draft2Digital, so there is a chance you'll see duplicates for each title over the various e-retailers for at least a week. (Knowing Smashwords, they'll end up taking longer than a week.)

 I'm not a huge fan of Smashwords. At all. They take too long to process updates (prices, covers, descriptions, file changes, etc), and I don't care for the way they process files. Draft2Digital on the other hand, is the exact opposite. They process files quickly, make it easy to edit any listings, and they provide a somewhat real time sales report (it can be off by a few hours at times, but that is better than Smashwords and their monthly report system). And the best part? Draft2Digital's formatting system is snazzy. 

One Final Update:

Other than a few reviews, I won't be around much over the next month. I'm working to get both Strength and Deprogrammed ready for publication, which is going to eat up a lot of my time. If you've submitted a review request, no worries, I will have your reviews up ASAP. If you're waiting on a prize, that will be sent out by the end of the week.

 

Book Blitz: Of Silver and Beasts by Trisha Wolfe!

***Excerpt***

“What’s your rank, baby blue eyes?” the guy asks, pushing off his cot and stalking toward the prince. Everything in me screams to act, but I don’t want to declare alliances this early on. Not without understanding the dynamic of placements and bonds already formed among these people. But I’ll not let this hulk of a man harm the prince. I brace my heel against the wall, ready to push off and lunge. Prince Caben rises to his feet, slowly turning to face him. He straightens his spine, squaring his shoulders. “I don’t have one. And my name is Payne. Not ‘baby blue eyes’, meathead.” Big guy laughs, his husky voice bounces off the rock walls. “I’m Crew”—he beats his chest hard once, like a barbarian—“and I’ve won three fights. I’ll win the next two and be the one awarded the freedom ring.” He leans down toward Prince Caben, leveling their faces. “So don’t even think about you or your princess over there walking out of here. I’m ranked as a Colossal. The strongest Colossal in Bax’s league.” Princess? I nearly scoff. Then I realize what the problem with Crew is: he feels threatened by Prince Caben. That revelation almost makes me laugh out right. What does a big stack of muscles like Crew have to fear from the prince? The other prisons slowly circle around the stand-off in the center of the cell. Tension thickens the musty air. It coils around my spine, tightening my muscles. If I allow the fight to continue without interruption, will the guards stop it? They’d want their fighters in pristine shape, wouldn’t they? Prince Caben doesn’t back away from Crew. Instead, he moves into his space. I roll my eyes. Stupid, conceited man. “Freedom ring?” the prince questions. “As in, there’s a chance to leave?” He rubs his chin, and I notice the dark shadow of facial hair that has darkened his features overnight. “Is there a season that has to be won, or can someone gain five wins during their entire imprisonment?” Crew’s eyebrows pinch together. He’s clearly despondent that he hasn’t succeeded in intimidating the prince. “We’re in a season right now, you weakling. If you don’t win—you’re dead. Which by the looks of you, will happen in your first match.” Prince Caben nods, as if he’s simply piecing together a jigsaw puzzle and not being told of his demise. “What is the cuff for?” He points to the iron clamp around Crew’s wrist. “It’s our biometric monitor.” Crew shoves the cuff up close to the prince’s face. “See those three blue lights? Those are my wins. When the fifth lights up, I’m outta’ here.” “Has anyone ever won the freedom ring before?” Prince Caben asks. Crew’s massive arms tremble. “No,” he grinds out. “But I will.” He cocks his cuffed hand back, then sends a blow to Prince Caben’s chin. Hell. I’m up and racing across the cell before the prince hits the ground. Crew spots me from his peripheral. He turns and swipes the air. I duck, roll, and come up behind him. I jump on the cot and leap onto his back. “You squirrely little ...” he mumbles, trying to reach over his shoulders to get a hold on me. Tightening my arms around his thick neck, I squeeze. He gasps for air, and rams my back into the wall. I wheeze as the air whooshes from my lungs, pain splintering through my already bruised chest. But I hold tight, bearing down harder, and cut off his supply of oxygen. Finally, I feel Crew weaken beneath my hold. He drops to his knees, and I only release him once I’m sure he’s knocked out. Stepping around the now limp Crew, I glance at all the wide eyes studying me, and meet the prince’s. Fury ignites his stormy blue irises. He picks himself off the floor and heads toward one of the side chambers, throwing the tattered material aside as he stalks inside. I follow after him. When I step inside the tiny, dank room, my eyes trail Prince Caben as he paces. He reaches each side of the small chamber with three quick strides. Back and forth. On his third round, I open my mouth and get out a single syllable before he holds up a hand, halting me. He drives his hand through his dark hair. “Thank you for making me look like a spineless jerk.” He shakes his head and faces me. Taken aback, I say, “This is my duty to protect—” “No. In your country it was your duty to guard me. In my world and here”—he opens his arms wide—“a man fights his own battles. He does not depend on a woman to fight them for him. You just disgraced me.” Fire simmers in my core. “I’m still assigned as your protector no matter what realm we inhabit, Your High—” I stop myself before addressing him by title out of habit. “Your pride is polluting your reasoning.” He laughs. “Yes, well. Thanks to your show out there, I no longer have my pride to worry about.”

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Buy Of Silver and Beasts for only $2.99: 
 

***GIVEAWAY***

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Book Blitz organized by:

Teaser Tuesday: Deprogrammed.

I have two small teasers for you guys today. :)

First, here is one from Deprogrammed:

Their love, their need to save me, would only end up destroying them if I couldn’t find a way to stop McVeigh.

Older Deprogrammed teasers that I've posted on Facebook (for those that have missed them):

It felt as though I had been trapped inside of a coffin, able to hear, to feel, to think, but unable to reveal my identity.

I focused on the sound of the light buzzing noise that came from the sides of the Pod, my only indicator that the mist was still activated.
It had been weeks – possibly even longer – since my eyes had opened.
McVeigh had succeeded in restoring Program Thirteen, but he had failed in ridding her system of me.
I had expected her to fight me off, but from what I was able to gather, Thirteen had not remembered me, the only positive to come from the deprogramming. I was nothing more than a ghost file living on her program now.
As long as I remained undetected, I stood a chance at saving both my family and Colton.
But I knew it was only so long before they located my file.
And when they did? I would be a goner.

The cover and synopsis will both be revealed on May 16th. If you'd like to participate in the reveal, send me an e-mail: NicoleWritesYA(at)gmail(dot)com

And now here is a teaser from... Strength!

Desperate times called for desperate measures, so the saying went.

Two days ago, our lives changed. Again. We’d been living under the rule of Troum for so long that I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be free, to live a life outside of these walls.

The days before the Outbreak were days that I would forever cherish; days that held happier memories – of my sister, my mother, our family.

My father and I had found a way to manage, to suppress the pain, the longing, but times like now, I found myself eager to reclaim what was once, and she had only made that desire stronger.

She had, in a way, forced me awake; opened my eyes to new possibilities I had not thought to be achievable after the Outbreak. She made freedom seem attainable, although at a price.

Strength is Ana's digital short that will be released in June.
I wasn't going to reveal the title until next month but I figured I'd do it now. This short takes place during Submerged. It'll give readers a closer look at Ana's character while also helping to explain why, and how, she managed to get away from the Sectors.

I still have a ton of writing to do on Deprogrammed before I even enter the first phase of extreme edits, which is why I don't have a set release date just yet. It does take a bit to edit a 70k word novel, but I'm hoping that between me, Grammarly, and my betas, I'll have a polished manuscript before June. But being that life can be a jerkface sometimes, I can't guarantee anything just yet. I want this book to be the best that it can be, I refuse to just hit "publish" and be on my way. The second book in a series is very important, so it needs to be perfect before it goes out to the public. This may mean pushing it back a month, but we'll see.

<3 Nicole

Saturday Update!

It has been awhile since I have done one of these. I want to apologize for that. Honestly, things have been extremely chaotic in my personal life, so it has been difficult to find time to read, to write and to keep this blog up to date... but I am trying! :)

News that Submerged fans will enjoy: Ana's digital short will be released in June! I will be revealing the title and cover next month while the blog tour for Submerged is taking place. Ana is a minor character in the first book, but she'll play a bigger role in the sequel, so I felt it was only fair for you guys to get to know her better. (Fun fact: street team members will receive a signed manuscript copy of Ana's story next month.)

Secret Project: I started a secret project. I'm writing it to submit to three publishers in particular. If they end up rejecting it - whenver I finish it, that is - then I'll upload it in full on WattPad. It isn't my top priority, as I do have a lot of projects on my plate, but it is something that I am continuously working on. (And yes, it is a New Adult read.)

Street Team Package # 1: This is the first package street team members will be receiving: a Program 13 notebook, a few Submerged stickers, and signed Program 13 bookmarks (not pictured). I'm still fighting to get the Submerged bookmarks printed correctly, but once they are ready to go, each street team member will receive 15 of those to hand out initially. :)

Back to Submerged news:
Submerged will be going on tour May 13th through May 17th. I'm excited, yet nervous. It is terrifying to know that so many bloggers are reading Taylen's story right now. I've already convinced myself that they are going to hate it, so this is very nerve-wrecking for someone like me. This will be the first of two blog tours for me, as Program 13 will be going on tour in July, so hopefully this one goes well!

One final note: I'm currently working on Deprogrammed. There is a good chance it'll be pushed back to June, but I'm definitely trying to finish it by the end of this month. Betas, I'll let you all know as soon as it is ready to go. (Note: you'll get the digital short, Standby, a few weeks after to beta - if you want.) This book is a lot darker than the first one, but Emile's voice is also less robotic, so the tone will be a bit different from Program 13. It'll definitely make a few of you cry, that much I'm sure of.

<3 Nicole