L.S. Murphy's Blog, page 7

Waiting on Wednesday: Earthbound

First, this cover is GORGEOUS! I’d pick it up in a heartbeat. Second, the concept sounds like a fast-paced, heart-wrenching novel. This is on my must have list. 

From Goodreads: Love, fate, and power collide in this new series by #1 New York Timesbestselling author Aprilynne Pike!

Tavia Michaels is the sole survivor of the plane crash that killed her parents. When she starts to see strange visions of a boy she’s never spoken with in real life, she begins to suspect that there’s much about her past that she isn’t being told. Tavia will soon to discover that she’s an Earthbound—someone with the ability to create matter out of nothing—and that she alone holds the key to stopping the Reduciata, an evil society that manipulates global events for its own shadowy purposes. Tavia will ultimately have to make a choice: to come into her powers and save the world from the evil Reduciata or to choose free will and a love of her own.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Aprilynne Pike has created a heart-stopping romance built on a love triangle like you’ve never seen before and filled with epic stakes and a centuries-long conspiracy. Give it to fans of Nightshade and Fallen.

Tagged: 2013, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Teens, Waiting on Wednesday, Writers, YA, YA books, Young Adult, Young Adult Books

Rockin’ Thursdays: 5 O’Clock Somewhere

As you already know, I’ve been on a country kick lately. What you may not know is that I’m a HUGE Parrothead. So, this song is naturally one of my favorites.

Tagged: 2013, Alan Jackson, Fun, Jimmy Buffett, Just for Fun, Music, Musings, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Rockin' Thursdays, Videos

Waiting on Wednesday: In the After

 

In the After sounds like an intense, unputdownable novel. It also sounds like the kind of book you shouldn’t read when you’re alone in the house. That’s right up my alley.

From Goodreads: They hear the most silent of footsteps.

They are faster than anything you’ve ever seen.

And They won’t stop chasing you…until you are dead.

Amy is watching TV when it happens, when the world is attacked by Them. These vile creatures are rapidly devouring mankind. Most of the population is overtaken, but Amy manages to escape—and even rescue “Baby,” a toddler left behind in the chaos. Marooned in Amy’s house, the girls do everything they can to survive—and avoid Them at all costs.

After years of hiding, they are miraculously rescued and taken to New Hope, a colony of survivors living in a former government research compound. While at first the colony seems like a dream with plenty of food, safety, and shelter, New Hope slowly reveals that it is far from ideal. And Amy soon realizes that unless things change, she’ll lose Baby—and much more.

Rebellious, courageous, and tender, this unforgettable duo will have you on the edge of your seat as you tear through the pulse-pounding narrow escapes and horrifying twists of fate in this thrilling debut from author Demitria Lunetta.

Tagged: 2013, Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Teens, Waiting on Wednesday, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, Young Adult, Young Adult Books

{Blog Tour} Aimee Laine’s Guest Post

Guys!!!! AIMEE LAINE! TAKING OVER MY BLOG!!!!!!!!

I love Aimee, if you didn’t already figure that out. Not only is she a great writer, she’s an amazing person. 

About Aimee: Aimee is a romantic at heart and a southern transplant with a bit of the accent (but not a whole bunch). She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and with him, she’s produced three native North Carolinians, two of whom share the same DNA.

With an MBA and a degree in Applied Mathematics, there’s absolutely no reason she should be writing romance novels. Then again, she shouldn’t need a calculator to add two numbers, either … but she does.

Take it away, Aimee!

Silent Echoes is a “Games of Zeus” novel but it’s not a traditional mythological conundrum. No, as the author, I’ve taken quite the liberties in creating a situation Zeus could have use to mess with we puny humans.

So, to have a little fun as Silent Echoes releases this month, my host here at L.S. Murphy’s blog has challenged me to create a Game of Zeus out of Baseball!

How could Zeus use Baseball upon two unsuspecting humans? How could he manipulate a seemingly innocuous game into a maniacal, devious relationship conflict? Oh, let me count the ways … or rather, let me show you.

Baseball

Not that you don’t know what baseball is, but if you’re not 100% sure of the rules … here is some detail from Wikipedia:

Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a 90-foot diamond. Players on the batting team take turns hitting against the pitcher of the fielding team, which tries to prevent runs by getting hitters out in any of several ways. A player on the batting team can stop at any of the bases and later advance via a teammate’s hit or other means. The teams switch between batting and fielding whenever the fielding team records three outs. One turn at bat for each team constitutes an inning and nine innings make up a professional game. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.

Before we get to the ultimate Baseball Romance … let me tell you a little about Silent Echoes. 

For years, Ian Sands has enjoyed his life as a bachelor, taking advantage of singlehood and exploring his own definition of passion—whoever she may be. Blonde. Brunette. Tall. Short. Hot. Not. Five months ago, all that changed. 

Ian’s been celibate, frustrated and desperately seeking answers to why one woman, who doesn’t play by girls’ rules, haunts his every waking moment. 

As a renovations specialist, Taylor Marsh lives, works and breathes construction—a profession her southern belle of a mother would rather Taylor not touch. The same goes for Ian; Mama Marsh would never approve of him. 

Like Ian, though, each time he and Taylor draw near, something compels her to get closer. 

Something else tells her to run away. 

Fast. 

As much as their histories suggest they shouldn’t be together, neither Taylor nor Ian can deny the pull, and the two succumb, indulging in a relationship that brings pleasure to body, mind and soul. 

Doing so, though, also ushers in a series of events both should have foreseen as well as one final outcome neither expected.

And now …

Baseball

One might think this would be an easy game of Zeus. I mean, it’s baseball … the game where sexual innuendo comes in the form of the ‘bases’!

So, I have to admit, in fact, I think baseball is a perfect Game of Zeus!

You see, three strikes and you’re out? Oh yeah, that’s prime game material. Let’s take a situation where she’s at bat. She’s got three chances to move on to 1st base. If she doesn’t, she has to return to home. If she does make it to first base, someone else has to propel her to the second.

So not only does she have to rely on herself, she has to rely on others to get her from batting at home plate to scoring at home plate.

Let’s say that scoring is ‘the win’ … meaning if she can get all the way around the bases,  she’ll get her guy. So now she has to bat, get to first, have at least one other person help her get to 2nd, 3rd and home and/or it’ll take up to five other people. That’s a whole team of people just to get her guy.

No so bad if your team is rooting for you and wants you to reach your goal.

But … in a Zeus story? That team is going to fall apart or turn on our illustrious ball player. The whole there’s no ‘i’ in team thing is going to be full of i’s or eyes. And at each round of a base, one of them is going to jump in and try to force the strike or the out or the end.

So from home around to home, how’s she going to get her guy? Well, in the seventh inning, everyone’s going to stand up and sing:

“Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

I don’t care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don’t win it’s a shame.

For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out,

At the old ball game.”

And somewhere, in there, is hidden the answer to all her problems.

And there you have it. What do you think? Is Baseball a possible Game of Zeus?

Tagged: 2013, Aimee Laine, Authors, Blog Tour, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Memories, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Writers, Writing

Rockin’ Thursdays: Celebrate Good Times + Giveaway Winner

 

 

Today, we’re going old skool with a little Kool & the Gang to celebrate the winner of the Three book GIVEAWAY!

And the winner is… ROBIN HALL!

Congrats, Robin. Everyone swing by her blog here.

Now let’s “Celebrate Good Times, COME ON!”

Tagged: 2013, Books, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Music, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Rockin' Thursdays, Romance, Teens, Writers, YA, YA books, Young Adult, Young Adult Books

Waiting on Wednesday: Rise of the Magi by Jocelyn Adams

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, showcasing books that we are waiting to read hosted by Breaking the Spine.

I’m a HUGE Jocelyn Adams fan. The Lila Gray series concludes with Rise of the Magi. I’m so excited to find out how it all ends even though I’m terribly sad that this is the last in the series. 

Description

In a battle of wills, who is strongest? The one who hates or the one who loves?

In a test of faith, who will fight the hardest? The one who has everything to lose or the one who believes only in herself?

For Lila Gray, the answer is both.

For the Magi, the questions are pointless since they can’t lose, and they’ve been waiting since before Lila’s birth for this one moment.

Lila only needs to find them to understand her entire purpose in life.

This time, though, instead of protecting her people, Lila may be leading them all, including her unborn child and the man she loves, to their deaths — and not by accident.

In the ultimate trial of heart and soul, and the conclusion to the Lila Gray series, Lila will learn that the greatest weapon of war is herself, with one ultimate unknown.

For which side will she fight?

Tagged: 2013, Authors, Books, Fairy, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Waiting on Wednesday, Writers, Writing

Rockin’ Thursdays: Riot Radio by The Dead 60s

 

This song is on the soundtrack for Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. I loved the book, so I had to check out the movie. The music is fab. 

 

Tagged: 2013, Fun, Just for Fun, Memories, Music, Musings, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Rockin' Thursdays, Videos

Waiting on Wednesday: Stung

 

As I cruised through the giveaways on Goodreads, I stumbled upon this book and I MUST HAVE IT! Stung sounds like a great, intense read. 

From Goodreads: There is no cure for being stung.

Fiona doesn’t remember going to sleep. But when she opens her eyes, she discovers her entire world has been altered—her house is abandoned and broken, and the entire neighborhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right hand—a black oval with five marks on either side—that she doesn’t remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. She’s right.

Those bearing the tattoo have turned into mindless, violent beasts that roam the streets and sewers, preying upon the unbranded while a select few live protected inside a fortress-like wall, their lives devoted to rebuilding society and killing all who bear the mark.

Now Fiona has awakened branded, alone—and on the wrong side of the wall.

Tagged: 2013, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Teens, Waiting on Wednesday, Writers, YA, YA books, Young Adult, Young Adult Books

Rockin’ Thursdays: Movie Edition

I’m sad to admit that I haven’t seen Les Miz yet. The movie, that is. I’ve seen the musical and absolutely love it! In honor of the Oscars this past Sunday, I thought I’d have a kind of movie edition of Rockin’ Thursdays. No offense to Anne Hathaway, whom I adore for many reasons, but Elaine Paige did it better. Here’s Elaine singing “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Miserables.

And here’s a bonus of Elaine Paige as Grizabella singing “Memory” from Cats.

 

Tagged: 2013, Cats, Elaine Paige, Fun, Just for Fun, Les Miserables, Music, Random, Random Thoughts, Rockin' Thursdays, Videos

Mega Giveaway!

To celebrate several milestones, I’m giving away THREE awesome YA books to ONE lucky winner! 

Okay, sound good? 

First let me tell you what we’re celebrating.

1) Over 300 likes at my Facebook Page (WooHoo! You guys ROCK!)

2) I’ve been suffering without my wireless internet for quite a while, BUT IT’S BACK! Without the wireless, I can’t get anything done. So this is definitely a reason to CELEBRATE good times, COME ON. 

About the Books:

 Prada & Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

To impress the popular girls on a high school trip to London, klutzy Callie buys real Prada heels. However, while trying them on, she trips, conks her head, and wakes up in the year 1815! There Callie meets Emily, who takes her in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. As she spends time with Emily’s family, Callie warms to them-particularly to Emily’s cousin Alex, a hottie and a duke, if a tad arrogant.

But can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, and win Alex’s heart, before her time in the past is up?

More Cabot than Ibbotson, Prada and Prejudice is a high-concept romantic comedy about finding friendship and love in the past in order to have happiness in the present.

Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti

Lani and Erin are bonded for life. One thing that connects them is their fascination of fate. Lani wonders how much of our lives has already been decided and how much we can actually influence. Since the Unknown can unexpectedly change our lives forever, how much can we really control?

From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can’t deny the intense connection they share. It feels like she’s known him forever. She’s not sure if he feels it, too. But it doesn’t matter. Because Jason is Erin’s boyfriend. Lani is determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than risk hurting her best friend.

How long can Lani keep running from the boy who might be her destiny?

The Breakup Bible by Melissa Kantor

Jen Lewis is having a great junior year. She is the features editor of the school paper, and she’s dating Max Brown, the paper’s editor-in-chief.

Everything is perfect—that is, until Max says, “Maybe it would be better if we were just friends.” In shock and total denial, Jen wonders how she is going to deal with the pain of seeing Max in school every day. Her misery only intensifies when her grandmother gives her a book that she heard about on the radio. Dr. Emerson’s The Breakup Bible claims that “there’s no reason a woman can’t get over a breakup very quickly if she’ll just follow a few basic commandments.” Jen is doubtful. What does Dr. Emerson know about her and Max?

The RULES (Cause we gotta have rules)

1) Leave a comment telling me what upcoming books you’re looking forward to this year

2) Sorry, my international friends, this is U.S. Only. 

3) The giveaway will end on March 13th. 

That’s all there is to it. The winner will be announced on March 14th, so check back then. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Tagged: 2013, Books, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Fun, High School, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Contemporary, ya romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books