Chantele Sedgwick's Blog, page 2

What I'm Reading

Can you believe it's already Thanksgiving week?  I don't know about you guys, but I swear 2014 was the fastest year ever. It seriously flew by. That being said, I'm so excited for this wonderful Thanksgiving/Christmas season full of hot chocolate, snow and watching my children love every second of it.

Okay, enough of my sappy rambling. :) Let's get to what I've been reading!

I've Read:

Atlantia by Ally Condie. 

I finished this one a few weeks ago. An interesting world, a story with family at its core and of course I love the cover. That's partly why I do these reading posts. Because COVERS! Love them.


Reading Now:

Cragbridge Hall (Book 2): The Avatar Battle by Chad Morris

I loved the first book in the series and this one picks up right after the crazy events of the last book. I'm a HUGE fan of middle grade. It's probably my favorite age group to read. Anyway, this one is awesome so far! Huge fan of Chad Morris and my kids are too!


 Up Next:

 Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

I've had this book on my to-read list FOREVER. So I'm super excited to get to it this weekend! Beautiful cover, interesting premise, and I've heard great things!




 Read anything good lately? I'd love to hear about it!

Also, for my US friends, have a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!! My non-US friends, grab a slice of pie and enjoy your week. :)

What I'm Reading

So... I usually do my posts a little different with going to read, reading now and read, but I've read so much the past week that I'm going to post three books that I've already read. :) Seriously. Can there be any more "reads" added to that sentence above? Haha! Anyway, here are some great reads from this week.

The CURE FOR DREAMING by Cat Winters. Seriously guys. Cat Winters is one of my new favorite authors. Love her books. They're so eerie with great characters and awesome twists. Loved this one so much and cannot WAIT for her next book that comes out next year! Isn't that cover super intriguing and creeptastic? Yes.

On The Fence by Kasie West. This book was JUST what I needed. So cute and romantic with real tough issues as well. This one was definitely a favorite this year. And how freaking cute is that cover?
Just finished The Unhappening of Genesis Lee by Shallee McArthur today! I loved this one as well. So unique! I've never read anything like it before. Link bracelets that store memories? A cute boy? A girl who will risk everything to find out the truth? Great mystery, characters and story. And such a pretty and unique cover that looks awesome on my book shelf. Pick it up guys. You won't be disappointed. :)


What have you guys been reading lately? Any book recs I should know about?

What I'm Reading

Since I posted about awesome books last Monday, I'm going to start doing it weekly. I've been reading a lot lately and love sharing my love of books with you all. So, here are my book recs for the week!

Read:

So, I finished this amazing beautiful book a few weeks ago and I absolutely loved it. And that COVER! *drools* Definitely getting this one to look pretty on my bookshelf. This book was so interesting and amazing and beautiful. I loved the two main characters, the world, the COVER. Anyway, check it out. It's awesome. I'd compare it to Titanic in Space. Brilliant.

 These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner





 Reading Now:

This book is super creepy and crazy and all of the above. An alien invasion, death, survival, etc. I don't know why it took me so long to read this, but it's awesome already. Can't wait to finish it!

In the After by Demitria Lunetta



 Up Next:

This is a new release and I love how different the cover is. Isn't it awesome? I remember when Jolene wrote this book. She says it has her favorite character she's ever written inside these pages. Can't wait to crack it open!

 Stronger than you Know by Jolene Perry

What have you been reading lately?

Awesome Book Recommendations

Hey guys!  I've been reading a ton lately and wanted to share a few books I loved!

First up: IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS by Cat Winters. This book was super creepy and so awesome. Loved the author's voice and the time period it was in. If you like historical with a touch of paranormal, check this one out! And isn't that cover SO creepy and beautiful? You all know I'm a cover crazy. :)

 I didn't hear about ARCHIVED by Victoria Schwab until my sister told me about it. I'm so glad she did! What I loved most about this book was how different it was. I haven't read anything like it and absolutely loved the setting, the characters, the mystery. Everything. And the cover. I can't even. Love it. Can't wait to dive into book two!
 Diving into this one today. Remake is a new release that my friend Ilima wrote. Isn't that cover gorgeous? It's so pretty sitting on my bookshelf!

Have you read anything good lately? I'd love to hear about it!

Also, I updated my "events" page. Check it out to see where I'll be in 2015! :)

Citizens of Logan Pond: LIFE by Rebecca Belliston

Hey, all! Sorry I've been MIA the past few months. It's been a nice break actually. Kids are back in school and I'm working on some fun projects! I'll try to be around more in the coming months. I wanted to give a huge shout-out to one of my awesome friends, Rebecca Belliston, whose book CITIZENS OF LOGAN POND: LIFE came out last week. And guys, look at this gorgeous cover!

Here's a bit about the book:

Her home. Her parents. Her freedom. Gone.His dreams. His sister. Himself. Lost.Two people. One future.  The economy crashed, the country is floundering, and Carrie Ashworth struggles to keep her siblings alive. She has two jobs in her newly-formed, newly-outlawed clan: growing crops to feed thirty-six people, and keeping Oliver Simmons, their local patrolman, happy. Carrie’s life is almost content when Greg Pierce shows up. A man with the ambition to help them survive. A man determined to hate her.
When a government raid nearly wipes out their clan, Greg realizes the true reason behind their safety. Patrolman Simmons has fallen for Carrie. Greg takes it upon himself to give the socially-awkward patrolman what he wants. Only Carrie doesn’t like Greg throwing her in Simmon's path, especially when Greg’s brusque exterior melts, and she catches a glimpse of the real man underneath. Carrie is forced to choose: follow her heart or save her clan. Life won’t let her choose both.

I'm halfway into this book and it's AWESOME. Congratulations Rebecca!

To celebrate her new release, Rebecca is doing an awesome giveaway too! Fill out the Rafflecopter below to win a signed copy of her book and a $25 gift card!  a Rafflecopter giveaway


Buy her book on Amazon!
 Check out her website here! 

Release Party for Michelle Merrill's CHANGING FATE!

I'm SO excited to be a part of Michelle Merrill's release party for her latest novel, CHANGING FATE. Michelle wrote this book with a goal to raise an awareness of cystic fibrosis. Half of the proceeds will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which is awesome and amazing. Also, this book will be featured for just $2.99 for all of May to celebrate CF Awareness Month.

Here's the gorgeous cover:







And the blurb: 

All Kate wants is to live. Battling cystic fibrosis is hard enough; dying from it is even harder. When her mom moves them closer to the hospital in the middle of her senior year, Kate’s determined to isolate herself—saving everyone the trouble of befriending a dying girl. It’s a difficult task when cheerful optimist Giana insists on being Kate’s friend.

Kate’s resolve falters even more when curly-haired Kyler captivates her with his sweet melodies. As her emotional walls collapse, Kate realizes the people she’s been pushing away may be the ones giving her a reason to live. But it might be too late.

GIVEAWAY!
Want to win a free copy? Visit each participating blog and find all 16 key phrases—2 located in each fun fact section about the author (words are in bold print). Put them together and answer the question in the giveaway on Michelle’s blog for extra points! The giveaway is open to everyone no matter where you live!

THE BLOG TOUR:
Michelle Merrill (1 & 2)      
Carol Riggs (3 & 4)          
Shallee McArthur (5 & 6)  
Kelley Hicken (7 & 8)            
Annette Larsen (9 & 10)              
Rachel Pudelek (11 & 12)                  
Melanie Stanford (13 & 14)            
Chantele Sedgwick (15 & 16)


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle Merrill loves kissing her hubby, snuggling her kids, eating candy, reading books, and writing first drafts. She names her computers after favorite fictional characters and fictional characters after favorite names. To learn more about her, visit her website HERE .  

View the CHANGING FATE trailer on youtube HERE .  

Here are 2 FUN FACTS about Michelle:


         15. My favorite show growing up was Scarecrow and Mrs. King. If you’ve never seen it, go right now and look it up. I mean, we’re talking 80’s TV show with Bruce Boxleitner and Kate Jackson. It’s awe-some. My favorite TV shows right now are Once Upon a Time, Agents of Shield, and The Voice.
        16. I’m a sucker for girls nights, shopping, and talking about books and writing. They’re good separately, but all together it makes for a killer night. I have some awesome friends and I love to have a good time.

PURCHASE LINK: Amazon


FIND MICHELLE AT:

WebsiteTwitterFacebook

Congrats to Michelle and her amazing book! I hope you'll all go check it out!

Cover Reveal for the awesome Michelle Merrill!

I'm thrilled to be part of Michelle Merrill's cover reveal today. Her book is amazing and she wrote it for such a good cause. Check out her beautiful cover!







Release Date: May, 8 2014

Isn't is gorgeous?

Here's the blurb:
All Kate wants is to live. Battling cystic fibrosis is hard enough, dying from it is even harder. When her mom moves them closer to the hospital in the middle of her senior year, Kate’s determined to isolate herself—saving everyone the trouble of befriending a dying girl. It’s a difficult task when cheerful optimist Giana insists on being Kate’s friend. Kate’s resolve falters even more when curly-haired Kyler captivates her with his sweet melodies. As her emotional walls collapse, Kate realizes the people she’s been pushing away may be the ones giving her a reason to live. But it might be too late.
Doesn't this sound amazing? It is. :) 
Also, HALF of all proceeds will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Which is so unbelievably awesome.

Here's a little bit about Michelle.

Michelle Merrill loves kissing her hubby, snuggling her kids, eating candy, reading books, and writing first drafts. She names her computers after favorite fictional characters and fictional characters after favorite names. To learn more about her, visit www.authormichellemerrill.com.

 
Where to find Michelle and stay updated on book details.Follow her on Twitter- https://twitter.com/merrillwritesLike her on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/authormichellemerrill?ref=hlCheck out her Blog- http://perfectingthecraft.blogspot.com/

Congratulations! So thrilled for you!

7 books for $.99? Heck yes!

My amazing friend Kim Krey and six other authors have just put out an awesome boxed set of their best selling romantic suspense novels. The books are fun, romantic and clean. AND they're only $.99 for all seven! Congrats to you guys! Can't wait to read all of these awesome books!!
Breathtaking: Seven Bestselling Novels of Love and Suspense Boxed set is only $.99 March 24th through March 29th. 


Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iTunes * Kobo * Smashwords


Unbelievable by Sherry Gammon
Deliah Dreser's in town to take care of family business. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but there's more to Lilah than meets the eye. Cole's in danger of losing his heart when this firestorm throws sparks his way. Is she simply playing him for the fool in order to exact revenge for her brother's murders?
Bestselling author Sherry Gammon's reviewers exclaim; "She has a gift for touching her readers with beautiful, gripping stories that you can’t put down."




Home Before Dark by Christy Barritt
Nothing good ever happens after dark. Those were the words country singer Daleigh McDermott’s father always repeated.
Now her father is dead, and Daleigh finds a hidden journal hinting that his death was no accident. Small town mechanic Ryan Shields is the only one who seems to believe Daleigh. As the two work to unravel the mystery, it becomes obvious that someone wants them dead. They must rely on each other—and on God—if they hope to make it home before the darkness swallows them whole.
Award-Winning Suspense Novelist and Bestselling Amazon Author, touted as "scary, funny, passionate, and quirky" by USA Today.

Baggage Claim by Amanda Tru
Rachel Saunders is looking forward to her all-expense paid weekend trip to New York. But, when her luggage is lost and she is accosted by an infuriating Homeland Security agent, events take a dangerous turn.
Amanda Tru, Bestselling Amazon Author of Romance and Suspense. Discover the author who, as an Amazon reviewer raves, “continues to impress me and dominate my time with a book I can’t put down even after it’s ended.”


Cassie's Cowboy Crave by Kimberly Krey
In a moment of weakness, Shane steals a kiss.
In return, Cassie steals his heart…
When Cassie is forced to join the witness protection program, she fears her life is over… but then she meets Shane Emerson — the hunky cowboy posing as her husband. Will this sham marriage turn into the real thing, or will a hidden danger put it all at risk?
Kimberly Krey writes romance that’s clean without losing the steam. What’s Beyond Forks calls this Best-selling Western Romance author “the master of romantic tension.”



A Perfect Fit by Heather Tullis
Cami DiCarlo is not happy when her father forces her into heading up guest services at his newest five-star hotel and unveils the existence of four half-sisters at the same time, insisting they live together while they launch the new resort.
When she meets Vince, the sweet, sexy landscaper her father would never have approved of, Cami can’t say no. If only she could be sure she is on the right track—and that they will be able to stop the person who is trying to destroy everything.

You Belong with Me by Shannon Guymon 
Layla Kendall is a burned out social worker one step away from a major depression. When she and her sisters inherit their grandmother's bakery, she doesn't know if she can trust her good fortune or not. But the chance to be with her sisters and get away from the heartache and pain she's faced day in and day out is a chance she's going to take. With Layla's new life, come new friendships, including Michael Bender, a single dad. She doesn't trust men but Michael's little girl grabs her by the heart and won't let go.
Shannon Guymon is an Amazon Bestselling Author of lighthearted and clean romance who according to her many fans, has the ability to paint pictures of her characters so real that readers would know them if they saw them walking down the street.

Blog This by Cami Checketts
Devastated by the loss of her brother, Natasha Senecot exposes the dangers of Matthew Chrysler's violent video games, bankrupting and humiliating him. Chrysler sends a hit man after her. In a race against time, can Natasha expose Chrysler before his assassin murders her family and shatters her world?
Bestselling author Cami Checketts has been touted as, "A genius! She writes about topics that aren't widely discussed, and she does such a brilliant job of crafting these things into wonderful stories that touch your heart and remain with you for days afterwards."

COVER REVEAL!!

I'm so excited to share my cover for Not Your Average Happy Ending with you today!!

Here's the blurb:



When Ash Summerland left the Academy of Magical Beings, he was sure he’d put his troubles behind him. But when his girlfriend, Kendall, is almost killed by an old enemy over something he knows little about, Ash is forced to confront the demons of his past if he wants to save his and Kendall’s future.With his fairy magic fading and his djinn magic more powerful than ever, Ash isn’t sure he can stop the evil from closing in around him. Although Kendall is the only thing keeping him from going over the edge, if he can’t learn to balance out his magic and find a way to defeat his enemies once and for all, both his world, and the girl he loves will be lost forever.







I love it! It meshes with my first cover so well. Woo hoo!! Can't wait for March 3rd to share it with you!! And thanks so much to everyone who helped me reveal my cover today! Have a wonderful Valentines Day and a great weekend!! :)

News, Updates, Where the Heck I've Been

Hello out there in bloggy land!

I'm so sorry I've been MIA. I don't have any major excuses for slacking off on blogging. I will use my almost 18-month old as one though. He's into EVERYTHING. I've never had a child like this. He's so cute and sweet, but he's definitely a handful. It makes sitting down and writing a blog post kind of hard... Haha. :)

We all have our outside of internet lives that keep us busy. And I'm trying to be better about blogging. We'll see how it goes this year.

As for writing, I just finished another book. Just waiting for betas. And I'm almost finished with another, which is totally not even related to what I've been writing lately. It's a supernatural (kind of) thriller. Yeah. Not sure where that one came from. We'll see what happens with that... :)

There's also some fun stuff going on this year too. My second book Not Your Average Happy Ending comes out March 3rd. It's been a long time coming, and I'm excited to share the cover on Valentines Day! :)

Also, I'll be teaching a class on Rejection at LDStorymakers this year. Super excited for that too. It's an amazing conference in Utah, so if you have any desire to go to one, this is a great one to start with!

I hope everyone is doing well! I've missed all of you and hopefully I'll get a permanent blogging schedule down soon.

Have a wonderful day!! :)