C.M. McCoy's Blog, page 7

Review: AGORAPHOBIC by Sara Secora (short story – psychological suspense)

AGORAPHOBIC: Inside Out by Sara Secora Psychological Suspense – Short Story Publisher: Amazon Digital Services Release Date: 29 Jan 2017 Format: eBook Buy on Amazon for $0.99 Twenty-eight-year-old Kade hasn’t been able to make it past his sidewalk in eight years. In this chilling short story, you will be given a glimpse into the inner workings of his mind as he goes through the process of trying to face his irrational, but very real fears. Experience firsthand what goes on in an Agoraphobic’s mind and begin to understand the silent disorder that millions of people across the world struggle with. Book Links: Amazon | Nook (FREE!) | Goodreads About the Author Sara Secora has a passion for all things gamer and nerdy, as evidenced on her YouTube channel, AviGaming. She is also a well-branded voice over artist. Secora has always been in love with writing, and nearly a decade ago, she finally turned her talents to the arduous endeavor of authoring an exciting fantasy trilogy. Her whimsical stories are full of enchantment, mystique, and insight—destined to intrigue readers of any age. Secora lives in Detroit, Michigan, where she continues to explore old and new avenues for her talent and hard work. Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Youtube│Instagram Review by Frog Descriptive! AGORAPHOBIC: INSIDE OUT is a psychological suspense short story (11 pages) by Sara Secora. As the title suggests, this story provides a glimpse into the mind of an agoraphobic as he leaves his residence for his daily outside time. Told in 3rd-person, past tense, AGORAPHOBIC did indeed fulfill the promise of the title, though the writing contained far too many filters, far too much telling (he considered, it felt, he wondered, etc), and far too much info coming from the author rather than from the main character himself for me to invest in his struggle and truly feel his anxiety. I also had a hard time empathizing with him, because I had no idea what his motivation to leave his house was until the very end. The character never looked toward his goal as he inched himself toward the door, which seemed unreal considering his struggle. An offhand mention of an ambulance hinted there may be some cause for urgency or something interesting to look forward to, but ultimately, that vivid detail went unexplored and turned out to be an irrelevant disappointment. With this near-omniscient feel and no apparent motivation, this story felt more like a college essay and a study into descriptive writing rather than a suspenseful short story. Though I’d hoped for more of a Ray Bradbury-esque suspense, I did enjoy the vivid descriptions, and I think this story would appeal to fans of upmarket fiction and lyrical stories. This book earns 2 North of Normal stars! Buy now: $0.99 eBook on Amazon Current Giveaways Win over $100 in bookish prizes in these current giveaways. But hurry! Some are ending soon! Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. Kindle Paperwhite Giveaway: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/kindle-pa... $25 Amazon Gift Card: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Bl... $20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/sale-aler... $20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-... $20 Amazon Gift Card: http://www.yabookscentral.com/blog/sp... BEAUTIFUL BROKEN GIRLS in hardcover: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2832-2/ Sterling Silver / CZ “Follow Your Heart” Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/cover-rev... Sterling Silver Wishbone Pendant Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/first-pag... Recent release/Top Rated Book from CM McCoy’s library: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-... Signed Paperback of EERIE (Goodreads Giveaway): https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/en... CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber (Hardcover): https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ_BtVulr... Choice of book by Lauren Oliver: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT by Amanda Cooper in paperback: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2845-2/ THE SHACK (paperback): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... ROYAL BASTARDS (hardcover): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... Trendy Spring Scarf: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... THE CROOKED SIXPENCE (hardcover): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... VICIOUS MASKS (paperback): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... WRECK THIS JOURNAL: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... Save Save

Review + #Giveaway: OPENLY STRAIGHT by Bill Konigsberg

OPENLY STRAIGHT by Bill Konigsberg YA LGBT Fiction Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books Release Date: May 28, 2013 Format: eBook Buy on Amazon for $5.99 Rafe is a normal teenager from Boulder, Colorado. He plays soccer. He’s won skiing prizes. He likes to write. And, oh yeah, he’s gay. He’s been out since 8th grade, and he isn’t teased, and he goes to other high schools and talks about tolerance and stuff. And while that’s important, all Rafe really wants is to just be a regular guy. Not that GAY guy. To have it be a part of who he is, but not the headline, every single time. So when he transfers to an all-boys’ boarding school in New England, he decides to keep his sexuality a secret — not so much going back in the closet as starting over with a clean slate. But then he sees a classmate breaking down. He meets a teacher who challenges him to write his story. And most of all, he falls in love with Ben… who doesn’t even know that love is possible. This witty, smart, coming-out-again story will appeal to gay and straight kids alike as they watch Rafe navigate being different, fitting in, and what it means to be himself. About the Author Bill Konigsberg was born in 1970 in New York City. Expectations were high from birth – at least in terms of athletics. His parents figured he’d be a great soccer player, based on his spirited kicking from inside the womb. As it turned out, the highlight of his soccer career was at Camp Greylock in 1978, when he was chosen for the Camp’s “D” team. There were only four levels. Bill played alongside the likes of the kid who always showered alone, the chronic nosebleeder and the guy with recurrent poison ivy. A B- student and adequate junior varsity athlete throughout high school, Bill was voted Most Likely to Avoid Doing Any Real Work In His Life by a panel of his disinterested peers. He proved them wrong with a series of strange-but-true jobs in his 20s – driver recruiter for a truck driving school, sales consultant for a phone company, and temp at Otis Elevators. He worked at ESPN and ESPN.com from 1999-2002, where he developed a penchant for sharing too much information about himself. That character flaw earned him a GLAAD Media Award in 2002, for his column “Sports World Still a Struggle for Gays.” Bill currently lives in Chandler, Arizona, which is the thinking man’s Gilbert, Arizona. He has a husband who is clearly too good for him, and two cute dogs, Mabel and Buford, who complete him. website | twitter | facebook Review by Wendy My first book by Bill Konigsberg will definitely not be my last! Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg is a stand-alone LGBT YA Romance. I chose this book because I read the excerpt and it sounded dissimilar from any other romance book I’ve read. I was hoping for an interesting new voice for life as a young, gay man, and this book provided that perspective and considerably more. Rafe Goldberg was tired of being “the gay kid.” He came out when he was 14 years old to wonderful parents and a welcoming community in Boulder, Colorado. His mother was very involved in a gay rights group, and he began speaking to high schools about coming out and being proud of who he was. However, Rafe was starting to feel like everyone saw him as a nothing more than a label. So for his junior year of high school, he transfers to an all-boys boarding school in Massachusetts, looking for a fresh start. At his new school, he plays things straight, telling no one he’s gay. Suddenly he’s fitting in like never before, but close friendships are difficult and he wonders if he can continue putting a major part of who he is on hold. I did not expect to feel so much emotion with this book, but from the very first paragraph, I was laughing out loud. Before I knew it, my heart was broken. I didn’t even realize how completely this story had drawn me in until I was in tears. There are a lot of facets to recommend here, and chief among them are the author’s story-telling. Very quickly, I felt invested in Rafe and how his life would turn out. After finishing, I struggled to keep this book in my hand when all I wanted to do was launch it across the room. As much as I fell in love, I also felt lost. I consider myself lucky that I read this book when I did. The sequel, HONESTLY BEN, will be available 28 March 2017, which can’t come soon enough. This book is appropriate for teens ages 14 and up and for adults as well. This is a heart-felt story that may appeal to to romance readers of all types, even those who’ve never considered reading an LGBT novel. I’ve already recommended it to friends and family.

Kindle Paperwhite #Giveaway

We’re celebrating St Paddy’s Day and 1000 followers of the North of Normal blog with a HUGE Kindle Paperwhite giveaway! This awesome giveaway is sponsored by CM McCoy, whose sensational YA paranormal adventure (with oooo la la romance) is ON SALE for 99 cents for the next week only

Review + #Giveaway: THESE VICIOUS MASKS by Shanker & Zekas

THESE VICIOUS MASKS by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas Teen Historical Fantasy with Romance Publisher: Swoon Reads Release Date: February 9, 2016 Format: Paperback Buy on Amazon for $6.48 England, 1882. Evelyn is bored with society and its expectations. So when her beloved sister, Rose, mysteriously vanishes. she ignores her parents and travels to London to find her, accompanied by the dashing Mr. Kent. But they’re not the only ones looking for Rose. The reclusive young gentleman Sebastian Braddock is also searching for her, claiming that both sisters have special healing powers. Evelyn is convinced that Sebastian must be mad, until she discovers that his strange tales of extraordinary people are true—and that her sister is in graver danger than she feared. Jane Austen meets X-Men in These Vicious Masks, the thrilling Victorian adventure from debut authors Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas! About the Author Mild-mannered assistant by day, milder-mannered writer by night, Tarun Shanker is a New York University graduate currently living in Los Angeles. His idea of paradise is a place where kung-fu movies are projected on clouds, David Bowie’s music fills the air and chai tea flows freely from fountains. website | twitter Kelly Zekas is a writer living in NYC. Young adult novels are her absolute favorite thing on earth other than cupcakes and she has spent many hours crying over fictional deaths. She also started reading Harlequin romances at a possibly too early age (12?), and loves a good historical romance. website | twitter Review by Wendy An exciting super-powered tale! THESE VICIOUS MASKS by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas is the first book in a YA historical paranormal thriller series. This is a stand-alone novel with a love triangle and a cliffhanger ending, which promises a sequel. I chose to read this book solely based on its comparison to X-Men. It was a very fair comparison! Evelyn and her sister Rose are being forced into a high society, a life they don’t want to live. Their mother expects them to attend balls and find husbands while they prefer to tend to the sick as nurses. When Rose disappears, Evelyn must enlist help from a man she can’t stand to find her. She learns what she is capable of and is introduced to a world she didn’t know existed. There were a couple of things about this book that really worked for me. The first was Evelyn. She was supposed to act proper and represent her family name in the most respectable way. However, she cared for none of it. She was hysterical and tenacious. She wouldn’t let anyone push her around or limit what she could do as a woman in the Victorian era. I also really enjoyed the love triangle. Although I had a clear favorite, and I believe Evelyn did too, there was a lot of back and forth between the men and her feelings for them. When a love triangle is done well, it’s very exciting to see who’s going to win. Since I loved Evelyn so much, I was invested in who she’d end up with. Unfortunately, the book ended with a cliffhanger before that question was answered, and I need the sequel yesterday. I truly enjoyed this one. For fans of super-hero fantasy, this is a must-read! I’m looking forward to the next book in this series. The characters are too good to not see how it ends. This book earns 3.5 North of Normal stars! Buy now: $6.48 Paperback (sale) on Amazon New Giveaway Paperback THESE VICIOUS MASKS Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. a Rafflecopter giveaway Other Current Giveaways Win over $100 in bookish prizes in these current giveaways. But hurry! Some are ending soon! Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. $25 Amazon Gift Card: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Bl... $20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/sale-aler... $20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-... $20 Amazon Gift Card: http://www.yabookscentral.com/blog/sp... BEAUTIFUL BROKEN GIRLS in hardcover: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2832-2/ Sterling Silver / CZ “Follow Your Heart” Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/cover-rev... Sterling Silver Wishbone Pendant Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/first-pag... Recent release/Top Rated Book from CM McCoy’s library: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-... Signed Paperback of EERIE (Goodreads Giveaway): https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/en... CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber (Hardcover): https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ_BtVulr... Butterfly Journal: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... Choice of book by Lauren Oliver: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT by Amanda Cooper in paperback: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2845-2/ THE SHACK (paperback): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... ROYAL BASTARDS (hardcover): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... Trendy Spring Scarf: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... THE CROOKED SIXPENCE (hardcover): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi...

Review + Giveaway: THE CROOKED SIXPENCE by Jennifer Bell (Middle Grade Fantasy)

THE CROOKED SIXPENCE (The Uncommoners #1) by Jennifer Bell Middle Grade Fantasy Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers (January 31, 2017) Release Date: 31 January 2017 Format: Hard cover Buy on Amazon for $9.38 (Sale) Anyone with a Hogwarts-shaped hole in their lives can’t miss this fantasy series opener. Dive into a secret underground city below London where ordinary objects are capable of extraordinary magic!   “Part Tim Burton, part J.K. Rowling! A terrific debut.” —Soman Chainani, New York Times Bestselling Author of the School for Good and Evil series   Welcome to a world where nothing is quite as it seems…   When their grandmother Sylvie is rushed to the hospital, Ivy Sparrow and her annoying big brother Seb cannot imagine what adventure lies in store. Soon their house is ransacked by unknown intruders, and a very strange policeman turns up on the scene, determined to apprehend them . . . with a toilet brush. Ivy and Seb make their escape only to find themselves in a completely uncommon world, a secret underground city called Lundinor where ordinary objects have amazing powers. There are belts that enable the wearer to fly, yo-yos that turn into weapons, buttons with healing properties, and other enchanted objects capable of very unusual feats. But the forces of evil are closing in fast, and when Ivy and Seb learn that their family is connected to one of the greatest uncommon treasures of all time, they must race to unearth the treasure and get to the bottom of a family secret . . . before it’s too late. About the Author Londoner Jennifer Bell began working in children’s books as a specialist bookseller at Foyles, Charing Cross Road, one of the world’s most famous bookstores. After having the privilege of listening to children talk about their favorite books for many years, she started writing a book of her own on her lunch breaks. You can follow Jennifer on Twitter at @jenrosebell. . website | twitter | facebook Review by Jennifer I laughed until I cried and then I laughed some more. THE CROOKED SIXPENCE by Jennifer Bell is a children’s science fiction/fantasy book, the first in The Uncommoners series. This is Jennifer Bell’s debut novel, and I fell in love with it instantly. When I first saw it in London, UK, I was skeptical, but when I saw it compared to HARRY POTTER, I picked it up. I was hoping for a coming-of-age story full of magic and mystery, and that’s exactly what I got! In THE CROOKED SIXPENCE, Ivy and her brother Seb are thrust into the world of magic after their grandmother, Sylvie, goes to the hospital. What follows is a chain reaction of killer shadows, angry policemen, suitcases with secrets, and a marketplace full of secretive people and extraordinary ordinary items. THE CROOKED SIXPENCE offers a whole new world, reminiscent of Hogwarts. The world-building is done well and I felt completely pulled in to this secret under-London world. In fact, I could barely put the book down. The characters were a bit simplistic in some ways but worked with the overall theme and character of the book to create a believable and engaging world. While many elements are not overly complex, the plot line was distinct and kept me guessing until the end. Bell ties up the loose ends from this story but leaves room for the sequels. This book contains no obscene language or romance, and the violence is minimal, kept bloodless and semi-vague so the book is suitable for children. I would recommend 8 and older, but the vocabulary may be too complicated for the average 8-year-old. I’m in college and I LOVED it! Readers who like HARRY POTTER or magical children will love this new series. This book earns 4.5 North of Normal stars! Pre-order: Hardcover, $9.38 on Amazon New Giveaway THE UNCOMMONERS #1 The Crooked Sixpence (hardcover) Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. a Rafflecopter giveaway Other Current Giveaways Win over $100 in bookish prizes in these current giveaways. But hurry! Some are ending soon! Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. $25 Amazon Gift Card: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Bl... $20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/sale-aler... $20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-... $20 Amazon Gift Card: http://www.yabookscentral.com/blog/sp... BEAUTIFUL BROKEN GIRLS in hardcover: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2832-2/ Sterling Silver / CZ “Follow Your Heart” Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/cover-rev... Sterling Silver Wishbone Pendant Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/first-pag... Recent release/Top Rated Book from CM McCoy’s library: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-... Signed Paperback of EERIE (Goodreads Giveaway): https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/en... CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber (Hardcover): https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ_BtVulr... Butterfly Journal: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... Choice of book by Lauren Oliver: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT by Amanda Cooper in paperback: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2845-2/ THE SHACK (paperback): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... ROYAL BASTARDS (hardcover): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... Trendy Spring Scarf: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi...

EERIE 99-cent sale!

Hi guys!

Eerie by C.M. McCoy
The Eerie eBook is on sale for 99 cents for another week! Also, there's a GR giveaway ending in 2 days for a paperback copy. Just look at page one under Most Requested Giveaways <3

Get the eBook on sale for $0.99 for a limited time!

Amazon | UK | Canada | B&N | iBooks | BAM | Kobo | Google | Goodreads

Summary

EERIE
by CM McCoy
Young Adult/Teen Paranormal with Romance
Publisher: Omnific/Simon & Schuster

The sensational teen paranormal romance featured in PEOPLE Magazine and on INSIDE EDITION!

"EERIE, full of voice and romance, is a thrilling and beautifully crafted story that had me up late, racing through the pages to get to the end!" - New York Times bestselling author Brenda Drake


Alaska. Paranormal. University.


Hailey Hartley has just enrolled in the world's premier supernatural university. It's a school she's never heard of, located in a town called The Middle of Nowhere, and run by a creature that's not supposed to exist. But at least she got a scholarship...

Hailey's dreams have always been, well...vivid. As in monsters from her nightmares follow her into her waking life vivid. When her big sister goes missing, eighteen-year-old Hailey finds the only thing keeping her safe from a murderous 3,000-year-old beast is an equally terrifying creature who has fallen "madly" in love with her. Competing to win her affection, the Dream Creature, Asher, lures her to the one place that offers safety--a ParaScience university in Alaska he calls home. There, she studies the science of the supernatural and must learn to live with a roommate from Hell, survive her otherworldly classes, and hope the only creature who can save her from an evil immortal doesn't decide to kill her himself.

Amazon | UK | Canada | B&N | iBooks | BAM | Kobo | Google | Goodreads

About the Author

CM McCoy (also known as Colleen Oefelein) has one pointed ear, a 80-pound puppy from Hell, and a very active imagination. She’s well aware nobody can say or spell her real last name, hence the pen name. You can call her Colleen. She’s a retired Air Force officer, an author, a blogger, and the PR manager/agent assistant for Inklings Literary Agency. When she’s not chatting with her imaginary friends, she’s either stuck in a book or interviewing with PEOPLE Magazine, ABC’s 20/20, the local morning news show, or INSIDE EDITION, where she promotes writing for mental and emotional health. She also mentors pre-published authors through workshops and contests and runs Totem Head's Annual Free Writing Contest for Kids, now in its eighth year. Though she holds a BS in both Chemical Engineering and German, she's far happier writing near misses and awkward kisses. Some of her off-the-wall talents include speaking in 10-codes (which she learned working 911-dispatch for Alaska State Troopers), flying helicopters, and Irish dance. She lives in Alaska with her very patient husband and son.

Book Trailer

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New Giveaway

$20 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash

Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Other Current Giveaways



Win over $100 in bookish prizes in these current giveaways. But hurry! Some are ending soon!

Note: CM McCoy's Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited.

$25 Amazon Gift Card: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Blog/Articles/Eerie-25-by-CM-McCoy

$20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-20-paypal-cash/

$20 Amazon Gift Card: http://www.yabookscentral.com/blog/spotlight-on-eerie-by-c-m-mccoy

$10 in Books (Amazon or Book Depository): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-giveaway-the-deathday-letter-by-shaun-hutchinson/

$10 Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/guest-post-giveaway-channeling-your-inner-miss-piggy/

BEAUTIFUL BROKEN GIRLS in hardcover: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2832-2/

Sterling Silver / CZ "Follow Your Heart" Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/cover-reveal-giveaway-the-heartbeat-hypothesis-by-lindsey-frydman-sweet-college-romance/

Sterling Silver Wishbone Pendant Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/first-pages-giveaway-lessons-in-gravity-by-megan-westfield-contemporary-romance/

Recent release/Top Rated Book from CM McCoy's library: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-instagram-for-book-lovers-3-tips-from-an-expert-no-its-not-me/

Signed Paperback of EERIE (Goodreads Giveaway): https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/217854-eerie

CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber (Hardcover): https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ_BtVulryI/?hl=en

Butterfly Journal: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-giveaway-the-bone-witch-by-rin-chupeco-teen-high-fantasy/

Choice of book by Lauren Oliver: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-giveaway-panic-by-lauren-oliver-ya-friendship-fiction/

TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT by Amanda Cooper in paperback: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2845-2/

 


Eerie

Review + Giveaway: First Pages – ALTERATIONS by Stephanie Scott

First Pages is a before-and-after series featuring an early draft of a book’s first page and a short commentary from the author describing how that draft evolved into its published form. I’ve read thousands of first pages, and I started this series to study how authors get it right. It takes a lot of courage for authors to share their first or early draft, so these are a real treat! In this installment of the series, we look at ALTERATIONS, a contemporary romance by debut author Stephanie Scott (Dec 2016, Bloomsbury Spark). Summary ALTERATIONS by Stephanie Scott Young Adult / Teen Contemporary Romance Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark Release Date: Dec 2016 If anyone saw the prom boards Amelia Blanco makes on her favorite fashion app, they’d think Ethan Laurenti was her boyfriend. They wouldn’t know that all the plans she’s made for them are just dreams, and that she’s the girl who watches him from the kitchen while her parents cook for his famous family. When Amelia’s abuelita enrolls her in a month-long fashion internship in NYC, Amelia can’t imagine leaving Miami–and Ethan–for that long. As soon as she gets to New York, however, she finds a bigger world and new possibilities. She meets people her own age who can actually carry on a conversation about stitching and design. Her pin boards become less about prom with Ethan and more about creating her own style. By the time she returns to Miami, Amelia feels like she can accomplish anything, and surprises herself by agreeing to help Ethan’s awkward, Steve-Jobs-wannabe brother, Liam, create his own fashion app. As Liam and Amelia get closer, Ethan realizes that this newly confident, stylish girl may be the one for him after all . . . even though he has a reality TV star girlfriend he conveniently keeps forgetting about. The “new and improved” Amelia soon finds herself in between two brothers, a whole lot of drama, and choice she never dreamed she’d have to make. Early Draft of First Page I’d like to think I wasn’t the crying type, but I’d be lying. I cried. Dampness saturated my pillow, making the pillowcase even grosser than its already-gross coating of flu germs. My bangs matted against my forehead. I tore my scarf away (even in sickness, I accessorized). The scarf hung limp against the side of the bed. Limp and lame like my life. My sixteenth birthday, alone. No bonfire on the beach with my bestie Maya and friends from school. No cute boy on my doorstep with daisies like the movies. No Ethan Laurenti. For as long as I could remember I’d dreamed of being with Ethan Laurenti. Of kissing Ethan Laurenti. Of going to prom with him. I could hardly blame Maya for choosing a legit Friday night party with Kaylee freaking Emerson over logging more couch time with me while I rode out this flu storm. Except I did blame her. This birthday sucked. Yesterday’s half-eaten slice of cake stared from my dresser with its frosted polka dots now turned to eyes that mocked me. “You’re the loser.” I buried my face in the pillow. Maybe I was a loser—I just yelled at cake. My bedroom door opened. “Amelia.” Only my grandmother, my abuelita, would barge into my room before noon on a Saturday. “Time to get up. The day is wasting.” Commentary from the author First pages evolve so much! My first line stayed the same, but just to point out—my entire published-version first page used to be the start of my second scene. So truly, my first page evolved from cutting the original first scene entirely. In comparing the two selections, we lost a character (RIP Kaylee freaking Emerson) who also disappeared from the book as part of an unnecessary subplot. The revised version keeps the focus on Amelia and why she’s in the state she’s in, with a little more context on what she wants out of life and why she feels like she’s missing out. She still yells at the cake and her grandmother still barges in. Final Version of First Page I’d like to think I wasn’t the crying type, but I’d be lying. I cried. Dampness saturated my pillow, making the pillowcase even grosser than its already-gross coating of end-stage flu germs. My heavy bangs matted against my forehead. Kicking a leg out from beneath the covers, I tore my scarf away (because even in sickness, I accessorized). The scarf hung limp against the side of the bed. Limp and lame like my life. My sixteenth birthday, alone. No bonfire on the beach with my bestie, Maya, and friends from school. No cute boy on my doorstep holding daisies like in the movies. No Ethan Laurenti. For as long as I could remember, I’d dreamed of two things: to become a fashion designer, and to be with Ethan Laurenti. I dreamed, elaborately, of Ethan Laurenti. Of going to prom with him. Of falling in love, slowly and completely. I dreamed of seeing the boy I’d watched grow up realize his true feelings—that his OTP (One True Pairing) had been here all along. (That girl would be me, by the way.) Only the flu struck, just in time for another potentially perfect love declaration moment to pass by. Yesterday’s half-eaten slice of cake stared at me from atop my dresser. Usually, I loved birthday cake, but now the frosted polka dots arranged across the icing turned to mocking eyes. They focused their confectionery judgment at me, solidifying my loser status. “You’re the loser!” I shot back. I buried my face in the pillow—I just yelled at cake. My bedroom door opened. “Amelia.” Only my abuelita would barge into my room before noon on a Saturday. “Time to get up. The day is wasting.” Review by Colleen (CM McCoy) Oh the angst of a 16-year-old girl! Amelia has just spent her 16th birthday in bed with a face full of snot rather than cake, but her day seems [...]

Review + Giveaway: ROYAL BASTARDS by Andrew Shvarts

[image error]ROYAL BASTARDS by Andrew Shvarts Upper YA Epic Fantasy Publisher: Disney Hyperion Release Date: 30 May 2017 Format: Advance copy eBook via NetGalley Pre-order Kindle eBook: $10.99 Being a bastard blows. Tilla would know. Her father, Lord Kent of the Western Province, loved her as a child, but cast her aside as soon as he had trueborn children. At sixteen, Tilla spends her days exploring long-forgotten tunnels beneath the castle with her stablehand half brother, Jax, and her nights drinking with the servants, passing out on Jax’s floor while her castle bedroom collects dust. Tilla secretly longs to sit by her father’s side, resplendent in a sparkling gown, enjoying feasts with the rest of the family. Instead, she sits with the other bastards, like Miles of House Hampstedt, an awkward scholar who’s been in love with Tilla since they were children. Then, at a feast honoring the visiting princess Lyriana, the royal shocks everyone by choosing to sit at the Bastards’ Table. Before she knows it, Tilla is leading the sheltered princess on a late-night escapade. Along with Jax, Miles, and fellow bastard Zell, a Zitochi warrior from the north, they stumble upon a crime they were never meant to witness. Rebellion is brewing in the west, and a brutal coup leaves Lyriana’s uncle, the Royal Archmagus, dead—with Lyriana next on the list. The group flees for their lives, relentlessly pursued by murderous mercenaries; their own parents have put a price on their heads to prevent the king and his powerful Royal Mages from discovering their treachery. The bastards band together, realizing they alone have the power to prevent a civil war that will tear their kingdom apart—if they can warn the king in time. And if they can survive the journey . . . About the Author Andrew Shvarts is a Russian-born YA writer, living in San Jose, California. He spends his days designing video games at Pixelberry Studios and his nights playing board games or making growling noises while chasing his 1-year-old around. website | twitter Review by CM McCoy Dark, edgy, thrilling! ROYAL BASTARDS by Andrew Shvarts is a stand-alone teen epic fantasy, suitable for readers aged 16 and over due to graphic violence, alcohol consumption, and one sexual situation. What in the frozen Hell did I just read? I requested this title from NetGalley because I loved the cover. Didn’t even bother reading the blurb, and honestly, if I had known I’d have an epic fantasy on my hands, I’d have steered clear, because high fantasy ALWAYS puts my brain to sleep, and I’d long ago given up my hunt for the unicorn of high fantasy–that one that can immediately suck me in and send my heart racing. Well, turns out I found it! I’m glad I didn’t skip this one–this is THE EPIC FANTASY written for impatient readers like me who love the movies but fall asleep reading LOTR. Dripping with adrenaline, ROYAL BASTARDS is just what the title and cover promise: an edgy, so-wrong-it’s-right read. Except for that first line “Being a bastard blows,” the back cover blurb (now that I’ve read it) doesn’t do this book justice. Tilla’s the 16-year-old bastard daughter of a regional Lord, who pretty much ignores her now that he has a proper wife and three “legitimate” daughters. Why he hasn’t disowned her and tossed her out on the street is the question that fixes hope in her heart–that her father will one day decide to legitimize her (give her his last name, let her eat at the family table, etc) and thereby save her from a life as a servant. But when Tilla and her beloved half-brother (also a bastard) witness her father kill a visiting Mage from the king’s court (an act of war), it’s game on. Tilla along with a band of other misfit bastards embark on a mission to deliver the visiting teenage princess safely back to her kingdom before her bloodthirsty father kills her (and Tilla, too). Shvarts does so much so well. The opening pages immediately sucked me in, and while there were bits of backstory I skimmed, I felt pretty much glued to these characters and this plot. As far as world-building goes, Shvarts nails it. Nothing is over done, and everything weaves together beautifully, subtly, and–oh yeah–THRILLINGLY. There’s a thread of subtle humor that offsets the sometimes over-the-top graphic violence (though the main character is a chick, it’s clear a dude wrote this). Though I didn’t actually laugh out loud, I did get a bit misty-eyed at the end, and I was a little angry with Shvarts for killing my favorite character. I think I might’ve actually blurted, “You bastard!” But that’s the beauty of this book, it totally screws the rules of fair play. So, reader be warned: this is a fast-paced, violent book that skirts the edge of inappropriate in the best and most thrilling way! Though it’s marketed as YA, this book may be a little too edgy for readers under 16, as it depicts the 16-year-old main character drinking loads of alcohol, engaged in sex, and bashing in skulls in all the gory detail. ROYAL BASTARDS will appeal to fans of dark fairy tales, those who loved the LOTR movies, and anyone with a chip on their shoulder. I loved this book so much, I want to share it with a hardcover giveaway (scroll down). ROYAL BASTARDS earns 4 North of Normal stars! Pre-order: Hardcover, $10.59 on Amazon New Giveaway ROYAL BASTARDS (hardcover) Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. a Rafflecopter giveaway Other Current Giveaways Win over $100 in bookish prizes in these current giveaways. But hurry! Some are ending soon! Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. $25 Amazon Gift Card: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Bl... $20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/sale-aler... $20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-... [...]

Review + Giveaway: THE SHACK by William P. Young (Christian Suspense)

[image error]THE SHACK by William P. Young Christian Mystery/Suspense Publisher: Windblown Media Release Date: June 2008 Format: Paperback Edition, $7.05 on Amazon Mackenzie Allen Phillips’s youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later, in this midst of his great sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change his life forever. About the Author William P. Young was born a Canadian and raised among a Stone Age tribe by his missionary parents in the highlands of former New Guinea. He suffered great loss as a child and young adult and now enjoys the “wastefulness of grace” with his family in the Pacific Northwest. (From the publisher.) website | facebook | instagram Review by eKelly An unexpected thought-provoking read! THE SHACK by WM. Paul Young is a stand-alone christian suspense. I am probably the only person on the planet who thought this was a new release, only to find out it’s been out since 2008!  I have no idea how I didn’t know this, but 9 years after its release I decided to pick it up because I had a friend tell me this SHACK book was being made into a movie. I didn’t have a clue what this book was about. The only thing I knew was the cover looked eerie, and I assumed it was a mystery/suspense. As it turned out it did have plenty of mystery and suspense but it was mainly of a religious and spiritual context. Lesson learned: don’t judge a book by its cover! I have to admit, had I known it was heavy into religion and spiritualism, I would have bypassed this book completely, but I’m glad I didn’t. It’s my very first spiritual book and it was good! Mackenzie (Mack) Allen Phillips’s youngest daughter, Missy, is abducted while on a family vacation and presumed murdered from bloody evidence found in a remote shack. Since that tragic day, Mack has been debilitated by depression, bitterness, and guilt, which he refers to as The Great Sadness. A religious man, Mack has lost faith in God because he doesn’t understand why God wasn’t there to protect his little girl, and why God doesn’t prevent all the unspeakable horrors in the world. Skip to four years later and he receives an anonymous note in his mailbox asking him to return to The Shack. Thinking it’s a sick joke, he’s terrified it could be from his daughter’s murderer trying to lure him. He borrows his friend’s Jeep and handgun and journeys back into the wilderness to The Shack, where he confronts his worst nightmare, ultimately finding peace, forgiveness, and happiness through love and faith in God. When I got into the first few chapters of this book I stopped and had to look up whether this book was fictional. It started out and remained so real that I kept thinking it was the memories of Mack’s vivid dream, or a mental or drug-induced hallucination. Even if you’re not spiritual or religious, I think this book would make you really think and wonder and question if you can believe in something that can’t be tangibly seen. The story is sad and thought-provoking, and it wraps up nicely with the best happy ending that can come out of the situation where a little girl is abducted and her father beyond heartbroken. This is a spiritual book. I don’t have a good comparison since this is the first in this genre I have ever picked up. Obviously fans of Christian fiction will love this but I think this would appeal to fans of mystery. I think if you enjoyed the movie, WHAT DREAMS MAY COME, you may enjoy this book. This book mentions violence but doesn’t contain gory descriptions or lewd language. It’s appropriate for readers 13 and older. THE SHACK earns 4 North of Normal stars! Format: Paperback Edition, $7.05 on Amazon New Giveaway THE SHACK (paperback) Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. a Rafflecopter giveaway Other Current Giveaways Win over $100 in bookish prizes in these current giveaways. But hurry! Some are ending soon! Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. $25 Amazon Gift Card: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Bl... $20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/sale-aler... $20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-... $20 Amazon Gift Card: http://www.yabookscentral.com/blog/sp... $10 in Books (Amazon or Book Depository): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... $10 Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/guest-pos... BEAUTIFUL BROKEN GIRLS in hardcover: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2832-2/ Sterling Silver / CZ “Follow Your Heart” Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/cover-rev... Sterling Silver Wishbone Pendant Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/first-pag... Recent release/Top Rated Book from CM McCoy’s library: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-... Signed Paperback of EERIE (Goodreads Giveaway): https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/en... CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber (Hardcover): https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ_BtVulr... Butterfly Journal: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... Choice of book by Lauren Oliver: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT by Amanda Cooper in paperback: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2845-2/

Sale alert + Giveaway: EERIE eBook $0.99 till 24 March!

The sensational book featured in PEOPLE Magazine and on INSIDE EDITION Lauded by Kirkus Reviews and in over 100 5-star reviews on Amazon! Get the eBook on sale for $0.99 for a limited time! Amazon | UK | Canada | B&N | iBooks | BAM | Kobo | Google | Goodreads Summary EERIE by CM McCoy Young Adult/Teen Paranormal with Romance Publisher: Omnific/Simon & Schuster The sensational teen paranormal romance featured in PEOPLE Magazine and on INSIDE EDITION! “EERIE, full of voice and romance, is a thrilling and beautifully crafted story that had me up late, racing through the pages to get to the end!” – New York Times bestselling author Brenda Drake Alaska. Paranormal. University. Hailey Hartley has just enrolled in the world’s premier supernatural university. It’s a school she’s never heard of, located in a town called The Middle of Nowhere, and run by a creature that’s not supposed to exist. But at least she got a scholarship… Hailey’s dreams have always been, well…vivid. As in monsters from her nightmares follow her into her waking life vivid. When her big sister goes missing, eighteen-year-old Hailey finds the only thing keeping her safe from a murderous 3,000-year-old beast is an equally terrifying creature who has fallen “madly” in love with her. Competing to win her affection, the Dream Creature, Asher, lures her to the one place that offers safety–a ParaScience university in Alaska he calls home. There, she studies the science of the supernatural and must learn to live with a roommate from Hell, survive her otherworldly classes, and hope the only creature who can save her from an evil immortal doesn’t decide to kill her himself. Amazon | UK | Canada | B&N | iBooks | BAM | Kobo | Google | Goodreads About the Author CM McCoy (also known as Colleen Oefelein) has one pointed ear, a 80-pound puppy from Hell, and a very active imagination. She’s well aware nobody can say or spell her real last name, hence the pen name. You can call her Colleen. She’s a retired Air Force officer, an author, a blogger, and the PR manager/agent assistant for Inklings Literary Agency. When she’s not chatting with her imaginary friends, she’s either stuck in a book or interviewing with PEOPLE Magazine, ABC’s 20/20, the local morning news show, or INSIDE EDITION, where she promotes writing for mental and emotional health. She also mentors pre-published authors through workshops and contests and runs Totem Head’s Annual Free Writing Contest for Kids, now in its eighth year. Though she holds a BS in both Chemical Engineering and German, she’s far happier writing near misses and awkward kisses. Some of her off-the-wall talents include speaking in 10-codes (which she learned working 911-dispatch for Alaska State Troopers), flying helicopters, and Irish dance. She lives in Alaska with her very patient husband and son. Book Trailer New Giveaway $20 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. a Rafflecopter giveaway Other Current Giveaways Win over $100 in bookish prizes in these current giveaways. But hurry! Some are ending soon! Note: CM McCoy’s Contest Policy applies. Rafflecopter terms and conditions also apply. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. $25 Amazon Gift Card: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Bl... $20 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-... $20 Amazon Gift Card: http://www.yabookscentral.com/blog/sp... $10 in Books (Amazon or Book Depository): http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... $10 Amazon Gift Card: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/guest-pos... BEAUTIFUL BROKEN GIRLS in hardcover: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2832-2/ Sterling Silver / CZ “Follow Your Heart” Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/cover-rev... Sterling Silver Wishbone Pendant Necklace: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/first-pag... Recent release/Top Rated Book from CM McCoy’s library: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/giveaway-... Signed Paperback of EERIE (Goodreads Giveaway): https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/en... CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber (Hardcover): https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ_BtVulr... Butterfly Journal: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... Choice of book by Lauren Oliver: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/review-gi... TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT by Amanda Cooper in paperback: http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/2845-2/