The Blind Wish by Amber Lough Hardcover Random House Books for Young Readers Released 7/14/2015
Two sisters. A war. And the wish to end regret… . The magical, evocative follow-up to The Fire Wish.
The
war: The lies that started the conflict are in the open now, but the
war between the humans and the jinn is as bitter as ever—and becoming
far more treacherous. The sisters: Najwa and Zayele have just learned
they’re half-jinni, half-human twins. Najwa is now the jinni
representative at the human palace, working to bring peace. But her new
role comes at a price—she’s no longer allowed alone with her cherished
Prince Kamal. And as Zayele adjusts to life among the jinn, she
discovers that she’s a magus, one of the most powerful jinn in the
Cavern. Suddenly, she’s thrown into special training, and the strongest
young men in the army are competing to be paired up with her. The
wish: Once again, Zayele makes a wish. A wish that she doesn’t think can
possibly go wrong. A wish that neither sister could imagine would
change the outcome of the war.
Praise for Jinni Wars I: The Fire Wish:
“War, magic, and romance kept me reading nonstop!” —Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of the Beka Cooper trilogy
“A
fantastically compelling and romantic read from a shining new voice in
YA.” —Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Daughter of
Smoke and Bone
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
Jackie Dunn and Matt Stewart barely knew each other in high school, back when she was a blue-haired alterna-kid and he was a preppy jock. High school rules dictated they'd never hang out, or sit at the same lunch table, or God forbid, date.
But when a weird storm transports them from their ten-year reunion back to senior year, they have to work together to figure out a way to get back to 2008.
Stuck in high school, Jackie and Matt agree to tough it out. They agree to do everything exactly as they remember, even though that means staying with the boyfriend Jackie knows will betray her, or playing nice with the girl that will someday be Matt’s ex-wife. Soon, they come to rely on one other, even become friends.
Jackie’s just starting to get used to curfews and term papers again, when Matt hits her with the biggest surprise of all: he’s fallen in love with her. He’ll change the past however he has to if it means a future with Jackie. But Jackie’s terrified they’ll not only alter their lives, but the lives of everyone around them.
Back to the Future meets She's All That, Class of '98 is a young adult/adult crossover that will appeal to teens and adults.
Title: Class of ‘98 Publication date: November 26, 2013 Publisher: Swoon Romance Author: A.L. Player
Available for Purchase:
L. Player teaches middle and high school English in Atlanta, GA. She lives with her guitar-playing, English-teaching husband and their three crazy rescue dogs. Her last name gets about the reaction you'd expect.
Release Date: March 10, 2015
Published by: Untold Press
A southern young adult LGBT contemporary romance
Macy Diaz has managed childhood friend Jeb Porter’s crush for years. However, his infatuation turns to obsession, even putting a kid in the hospital just for hitting on her. In the past, Macy brushed it off, explained his bizarre acts away. But now she harbors a secret. She’s in love…with Jeb’s sister, Rachel.
By some miracle, Rachel loves Macy back, and despite the small minds polluting their sleepy southern town, they’re sticking together. Unfortunately, making sure Jeb never grows suspicious proves harder every day—until everything falls apart.
As a sick, unstable Jeb starts to threaten all Macy values, she is reminded of what has always been perfectly clear. Macy belongs to him, only him, and he won’t let her go. Ever.
If only Macy could’ve loved Jeb, she wouldn’t have to worry about surviving him now.
About the Author
Lynn Vroman
Born in Pennsylvania, Lynn spent most of her childhood, especially during math class, daydreaming. The main result that came from honing her imagination skills was brilliantly failing algebra. Today, she still spends an obscene amount of time in her head, only now she writes down all the cool stuff.
With a degree in English Literature, Lynn used college as an excuse to read for four years straight. She lives in the Pocono Mountains with her husband, raising the four most incredible human beings on the planet. She writes young adult novels, both fantasy and contemporary.
Church ain't so bad, especially since Pastor Bill brought in the cushioned pews. It was kind of nice how my butt stayed awake, even if my eyes didn't want to. But one glance at Mama's scowl, and I knew better than to check out while we all got our morality medicine for the week. "…and don't forget, y'all need to bring a dish for the Fourth of July planning party. My Jenny's makin' her sweet cornbread muffins." Pastor Bill gave his wife an adoring look and patted his big belly. "Until then, I'll see each and every one of you next Sunday." I smiled. The torture was over. In polite, orderly fashion, we all filed out of the small church that had been around since Papaw first moved here in the 1960s. I did my best to avoid the obligatory handshake with the man who ruined every Sunday morning, but he was quick for a fat guy. "Buenos dÃas, Senora Diaz." Crap. Pastor Bill's Appalachian twang hurt my ears. The way he butchered his Spanish, that damn accent making him sound like the hick he was, had me grinding my back teeth. "Nice sermon, Pastor." Mama didn't understand a lick of Spanish, but she'd never let the good pastor know it. Didn't matter to him we were as southern as every other smelly country bumpkin in Pittman Center.
"Why, thank you." His bloated hand covered hers. "Don't forget the party. I do love me some Mexican food." Dumbass. We're Puerto Rican. "I wouldn't miss it for nothing." She slid her hand out of his sweaty grasp, a forced smile on her lips.
We walked down the old cement steps toward the mowed field everyone used as the parking lot, batting at the gnats buzzing around our heads. "When you gonna tell him we ain't Mexican?"
"As soon as you can stay awake for the whole sermon."
Excerpt #2
Face still burning, trying to act as cool and laidback as my friend, I shrugged and looked at Rachel. "You going, too?" She smiled, her overbite hardly noticeable after three years in braces. "I'm being forced to by my big ape of a brother." She nudged Jeb, who kept his eyes on me the entire time. "He promised to take me into Sevierville on Friday if I hung out with y'all today." I cleared my throat, hoping I didn't sound as awkward as I felt. "What's doing there on Friday?" "Poetry reading. Y'all should come with." She put her hands on her hips and held up her dainty chin. "The theme is the feminine mystique." Ana and Jeb rolled their eyes, while I tried hard not to nod too fast. "Yeah, I'll go." Rachel beamed. "I'd like that." "Uh, hey, on second thought, maybe I'll skip the movie, tag along. I could add some male mystique." Jeb nodded in that way I'm sure he thought made him look sexy. He did have the looks, with all that blond hair and eyes as blue as the ocean. His sister had the same eyes…but bluer. So much bluer, like I could drown in them kind of blue. Ana snorted, bringing my mind back into the kitchen. My face grew hotter as I averted my eyes to focus on my white heels. "Sounds like a date, then." "I think it does," Jeb said. "All right, all right. Why don't you two go round up a few others? Macy and I will head over as soon as she changes." Ana shoved me toward the stairs, not waiting for a reply. "So, y'all will be along soon, right?" Jeb's deep voice followed, a hint of panic making it sound higher than usual. "Yes, yes, just go on, now." Ana waved him off with a laugh, and whispered, "I swear that boy can't be more obvious." "I don't have any idea what you're talking about." "Yeah, sure you don't." Ana leaned closer. "When you gonna break his heart and tell him you like his sister?"
Excerpt #3
All right, don't do it. Don't say nothing stupid. But the last thing I wanted to talk about was her brother. "You know how Papaw and I go deep sea fishing every year? Near the gulf?" Oh, damn. Too late. She tilted her head as I held out my hand for the sketchpad. After another second of hesitation, she plopped it into my hands. "Yeah?" I adjusted her back into the original pose and continued to draw. "Well, every year, when we're sitting on that boat in the middle of nowhere, I spend more time trying to get the right color blue on my pad than I do fishing." I kept my eyes on the drawing, my fingers shaking a bit. "You can't imagine how blue that water is. So clear, so deep…inviting. It takes all I got not to jump overboard and let it close over me. It's like a Siren. You know, how the Sirens sung those sailors to their death?" I looked up long enough to watch her nod. Her fingers weren't twitching to cover her mouth anymore. "Anyway, it's so perfect, the blue? Like nothing else I've ever seen." Here it comes, the nail in the coffin. "Except when I look in your eyes. That water's got nothing on your eyes, Rachel." I became hyperaware. I heard the boys fighting and Ana calling them names. Listened to Jackson burp and give his opinion on starting fires, too. I also heard Rachel's screaming silence. Nothing was as loud as that silence.
Excerpt #4
"All right, here goes nothing." She hopped off the rock to stand right in front of me. "You remember, after I told you, that Bubba didn't want to see me again?" "Yeah, and I gave him a what-for and threatened to tell Jeb if he didn't apologize." She laughed a little and brushed her hair back, her fingers still shaking. "I remember. He was so scared. But he had no reason to apologize." "Ah, yes, he did." "No. He didn't break up with me. I broke up with him." "Okay, I know you're going somewhere with this, but…" "Yes, just listen." She took a slow breath. "After we–you know–it felt…wrong. Not wrong like 'we shouldn't be having sex' wrong, but like wrong, you know?" Impatient was too soft a word for what I felt at that moment. "No, I don't know 'cause I never had sex before." "Well, I didn't know why either up until a few months ago." Another tear dripped from her left eye. I jumped off the rock before I could convince myself not to and hugged her. "You can tell me anything, Rachel. I won't tell." She hugged me back and buried her face in my neck. "Promise you won't hate me." "Now that's a promise I know I can keep." "It was wrong 'cause he wasn't…you."
Sixteen-year-old Sophie Bloom wishes she’d been taught the following:
a) Bad boy’s presence (TrOuBlE) + teen girl’s brain (DraMa) = TrAuMa (Highly unstable and very volatile.)
b) The Genus Greekulum Godissimus is notable for three traits: 1) awesome abilities, 2) grudges, and 3) hook-ups, break-ups, and in-fighting that puts cable to shame.
Prior to the Halloween dance, Sophie figures her worst problems involve adolescent theatrics, bitchy teen yoga girls, and being on probation at her boarding school for mouthy behaviour. Then she meets bad boy Kai and gets the kiss that rocks her world.
Literally.
This breath stealing lip lock reawakens Sophie’s true identity: Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She’s key to saving humanity in the war between the Underworld and Olympus, target numero uno of Hades and Zeus, and totally screwed.
Plus there’s also the little issue that Sophie’s last memory as Persephone was just before someone tried to murder her.
Big picture: master her powers, get her memories back, defeat Persephone’s would be assassin, and save the world. Also, sneak into the Underworld to retrieve stolen property, battle the minions of Hades and Zeus, outwit psycho nymphs, slay a dragon, rescue a classmate, keep from getting her butt expelled from the one place designed to keep her safe …… and stop kissing Kai, Prince of the Underworld.
My Ex From Hell is a YA romantic comedy, Greek mythology smackdown. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book one of this teen fantasy romance series. Compared to Kai and Sophie, Romeo and Juliet had it easy.
--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter
1 Signed Copy of Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls and Signed Copy of My Date From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book Two).
Genres: Young Adult Romance, Horror, Zombies, Science Fiction Series: Territory of the Dead Available free with Kindle Unlimited. Blurb:
Eighteen-year-old Tabitha Alexander had just graduated from high school when the dead invaded her small town of Pleasant, Louisiana. Working as a checkout girl in the only grocery store in town, she barely made it out with her life.
But the night was only beginning.
What started out as a group of three grows, as they are joined by the few that are still alive. New bonds are formed as old ones die, and Tabitha suddenly finds that the guy she’s always wanted might just want her back.
The timing couldn’t be worse, though. The zombies in Pleasant are smart, with an awareness that’s horrifying. And when the zombies discover the house full of survivors, those inside realize that the walls aren’t strong enough to keep them out.
All hope is lost. Or is it? Salvation comes in the form of a mysterious man, with a pair of steely-gray eyes and an arsenal to match. He rescues them, but at what cost? Kellan can’t seem to keep his otherworldly eyes off of her.
She’s no match for him. She knows this. Yet, he intrigues her… and Tabitha knows it’s the most dangerous reaction of all.
Excerpt:
I exhaled deeply as I finished scanning the last coupon. The woman gave me a sharp look of annoyance, as if I had no room for complaint. Really, what did she expect? Was I supposed to grovel and thank her for allowing me the honor of scanning her precious coupons ten minutes before closing time?
Apparently so. “You know, young lady, it wouldn’t hurt you to smile at your customers and thank them when they offer you their coupons. I don’t think I’ve ever had such poor customer service. I don’t have to shop here, especially with this kind of attitude.” She was working herself up into a rage, her expression full of self-righteous indignation.
I didn’t reply, but instead pushed the total button. Some of the customers in line groaned, while others shifted in impatience. They really didn’t want to be further delayed by her rant. She slammed a hundred dollar bill down on the counter. “Where is your manager? I want to speak with him now.”
I pointed towards Jim, as he straightened his shoulders and attempted to look professional. I could only imagine the holier-than-thou attitude he would have as he sympathetically agreed with her. Around here, I could never do anything right, or so it seemed.
I didn’t see anyone else standing around, though, willing to put up with his crap. If I didn’t need the money so badly, I’d walk out the door faster than he could blink. I was tired of the humiliation and tired of being blamed for the lines, just because he was too tight to hire on adequate staff.
I was silent as I quickly made her change. What could any person say? She was mad due to reasons of her own, something that really didn’t concern me. With one last glare, she huffed and moved on in his direction. She never made it, though.
It would have been worth the complaint and subsequent chewing out I would have received, if the events of the night just wouldn’t have happened. I would later look back on it and pray that things had ended differently. You can’t change events that are completely out of your control, though.
Even so, anything would have been preferable to that one moment when you find your reality has just been blown to pieces and would never be the same again. That’s assuming you live to survive it.
She was halfway to Jim, her teased hairdo bouncing, when it happened. A loud, panicked scream tore through the night, originating somewhere from the parking lot in front of the store. Even through the thick glass, we could hear it loudly. It sounded like someone was being murdered. I immediately stopped scanning, turning in an attempt to see what was happening.
A body slammed against the glass, his face and palms pressed to the surface. It was a horrid sight. His pupils were red and crazed, his face extremely pale and dirty. Dark red blood was smeared across his cheeks and chin. The man stood still for a moment, just watching us with his crazy eyes. Something reanimated him. He slid his palms down the clear, clean glass, leaving a trail of bloody streaks.
Who We Were BY : Christy Sloat Audience: YA Genre: Contemporary romance Formats: E-book and Paperback Cover by: Najla Qamber Designs Editor: Melanie Williams Pages: 330 pages ISBN: 978-0692289952 ASIN: B00N980WYO Date Published: 15 September 2014
“Who we were had washed away with the summer. Who we are was yet to be seen.”
Summer school at Alcott High was only supposed to gain Sadie Peters extra credit, nothing more. Her goal wasn't to make friends, or gain the attention of the most popular football player, yet she managed both. Her life was cruising along on course ... until that summer.
Could a simple stint in a different school change her identity completely and introduce her to love for the first time? How would that affect her relationship with Lily, her best friend?
Hopefully their friendship was strong enough to make it through the tumultuous summer. Sadie learns that great things come with change, but sometimes memories of the past are hardest to part with.
I killed the engine and grabbed my new bag. I refused to go to summer classes with my junior year backpack. No way! I had purchased all new items for the next four weeks. This was a new school and a new chance to actually become someone different. A clean slate. No one here knew me, so my past history was erased. I would be Sadie Peters, popular and outgoing, instead of Sadie Peters, a shy nobody that no one pays any attention to.
I looked up at Alcott High’s newly rebuilt entrance. It was the town’s oldest school, but it held the most history. It was the very first school built in Laurel Lakes when it was a small town. Now that the town has grown immensely, they needed a new school built, and that’s how Ridgeline High, my school, was built. While I liked my school for various reasons, I loved the history of Alcott. To me it held hope and immense change. After a complete and utterly disastrous junior year, I could only see promise staring me in the face.
Excerpt 2
“Three weeks, Sadie. They didn’t even show up to my doctor’s visit to get the final results.” That made me so sad to hear. How could they do that? He made a fist and hit the dashboard, not hard, but enough to make himself feel better.
I placed my hand on his and squeezed, letting him know I was here and I wasn’t going anywhere.
“Do you ever feel invisible?” He asked looking out the window.
I laughed. Did I ever. My mom worked so much I hardly ever saw her, and my dad wasn’t home anymore. Cara was off to college, and she just thought of me as the silly kid sister. No one at Ridgeline knew I existed, even though I passed them in the halls every day. But instead of giving him that answer, I gave him the one I really felt was true. The one that I felt right then in that moment.
“Not anymore.” I turned to look at him, and he met my eyes at the same time.
Christy Sloat is a SoCal born girl who resides in New Jersey currently with her husband, two daughters and Sophie her Chihuahua. Christy has embraced the love of reading and writing since her youth and was inspired by her grandmother's loving support. Christy passes that love of reading, writing, and creativity to her daughters, family, and friends. When you do not find Christy within the pages of a book you can find her being mommy, wife, crafter, and dear friend. She loves adventurous journeys with her friends and can be known to get lost inside a bookstore. Be sure to venture into her Past Lives Series, The Visitor's Series, and watch for many more exciting things to come.
L. Player teaches middle and high school English in Atlanta, GA. She lives with her guitar-playing, English-teaching husband and their three crazy rescue dogs. Her last name gets about the reaction you'd expect.
A southern young adult LGBT contemporary romance
Who We Were
Amazon / Goodreads / Barnes and Noble / Smashwords / ITunes
Check out her website www.christysloat.comChristy Sloat is a SoCal born girl who resides in New Jersey currently with her husband, two daughters and Sophie her Chihuahua. Christy has embraced the love of reading and writing since her youth and was inspired by her grandmother's loving support. Christy passes that love of reading, writing, and creativity to her daughters, family, and friends. When you do not find Christy within the pages of a book you can find her being mommy, wife, crafter, and dear friend. She loves adventurous journeys with her friends and can be known to get lost inside a bookstore. Be sure to venture into her Past Lives Series, The Visitor's Series, and watch for many more exciting things to come.
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