Lizzy Charles's Blog, page 3

Road to Somewhere Blog tour

I’m thrilled to be participating in the Road to Somewhere blog tour. When I signed up for doing this tour,  I didn’t exactly know what I was getting myself into. I knew that Road to Somewhere was about singing and one of the characters had a nemesis— a rooster. It wasn’t much to go on but I also hate roosters so I thought I’d give it a shot.

And, oh my gosh, I’ve never loved my hate for roosters more. This book gave me all the feels! Here’s the blurb:

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

New! From Bloomsbury Spark, a sunny heartwarming story of discovery and sisterhood. 

 
A road trip. A singing competition. And super-hot cowboys. 
 
What could be better? 
 
For Charlie, a post-high school road trip isn’t just a vacation, it’s life changing. While her parents think she’s helping a friend move, a chance at fame is the real reason to grab her best friends and drive to L.A. But when her super annoying, uber-responsible, younger sister, Lucy, has to tag along, it isn’t quite the summer of fun she imagined. 
 

Add in a detour to her grandparents’ ranch in Texas, and between mucking the stalls, down-home cookin’, and drool worthy ranch hands, this could just turn into the best, and most complicated, summer of their lives.


I LOVED THIS BOOK! This young adult novel brought me back to being fifteen and dreaming on my parents front porch. Everything I wanted in an adventure can be found in Road to Somewhere. Road Trip-Check. Horses-Check. Striving to achieve a dream-Check. Hot Cowboys-Check.

But what makes this book really special is the dynamic relationship between Charlie and Lucy. Kelley Lynn and Jenny Morris did a beautiful job capturing the beauty and challenges in sisterhood. Having an older sister myself, I couldn’t help but laugh and cry while reading this novel. It was beautifully written.

I couldn’t put this novel down. I inhaled it in three hours, not paying attention to anyone around me. The only time I paused was to eat a sandwich that was shoved under my nose (thanks husband). I even changed my baby’s diaper while keeping the Kindle next to him so I could keep pace in the story.

It was that good!

Road to Somewhere is a brilliant, heart-warming story. Every one should go buy it for themselves and for every teenage girl they know!

Here are the purchase links: Amazon and B&N

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Kelley Lynn was born and raised a Midwestern girl. She’s not afraid to sweat and fills her free time with softball, soccer and volleyball. (Though you probably don’t want her on your volleyball team.) She occasionally makes guest appearances as a female vocalist for area bands. Music plays a large role in her writing process as well as the characters and plot lines within her stories.


getbetweenthebookends.blogspot.com | twitter.com/KelleyLynn1 | facebook.com/AuthorKelleyLynn



Jenny S. Morris is a YA author who loves all things geek, may have a Kdrama addiction, and prefers the rainy NW to any place she’s ever lived. Road to Somewhere is her debut novel.
jennysimaginaryworld.blogspot.com | twitter.com/jennysmorris | facebook.com/JennyS.Morrs


If you would like to participate in the Road to Somewhere giveaway, it’s full of awesome swag. Check it out! Make sure you enter below.

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Over the Ocean Cover Reveal

I’m thrilled to participate in the Over the Ocean cover reveal. Guys, when I saw this cover, I honestly drooled. I bolted to sign up for this reveal. I’m so pumped to share participate! This cover reminds me of some great women I admire. It just makes me want to grab a few outfits and escape. What a gorgeous choice! Over the Ocean is a New Adult novel that’s coming March 24th! So watch for it!!!

Before we show off the cover beauty, here’s the blurb.

When Bree meets Logan, and hears his oh-so-sexy British accent, it’s lust at first sight.

Bree thinks Logan feels the same way, especially when they’re snuggled up on her couch with his tongue down her throat. But when Logan decides that getting into a relationship when he only has a few months left in the States is a bad idea, Bree agrees to be “just friends.”

But every time he flashes his swoon-worthy smile, complete with dimples, Bree has a hard time keeping her thoughts in the “friend zone.”

And here’s the cover!!!

 

 

It’s gorgeous, right?  Here’s a little teaser Georgia St. Mane sent along as well. What a giver!

About the author: Georgia St. Mane is married with four kids. She’s passionate about writing, reading, and theater. She thinks everyone deserves their own love story. (I totally agree!) Georgia also writes YA as Rachel Schieffelbein.

Want to add this beautiful novel to your Goodreads To Be Read Pile? Here’s the link!: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20980861-over-the-ocean?ac=1

Double Cover Reveal for Cassie Mae’s How To novels!

Cassie Mae, a totally fun author, is having a double cover reveal today! She writes both young adult and new adult novels. I love her “How To” series. She writes young adult romance in sincerity but with great humor. Totally addicting! The first book, How To Date a Nerd, was so addicting that upon returning home after a crazy shift in the neonatal intensive care unit, rather than go to bed at midnight, I stayed up til 3am lost in her characters and story. I can’t wait to read the next two!

How to Seduce a Band Geek (How To #2) by Cassie Mae

Release Date: 05/06/14

Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:

Sierra Livingston’s got it bad for her sister’s best friend, Levi Mason—the boy who carries his drumsticks in his pocket, marches with the school’s band, and taps his feet to whatever beat runs through his head. Sierra racks her brain for ways to impress the sexy drummer, but the short skirts and bursting cleavage don’t seem to cut it.

When Sierra gets paired with Levi’s sister, Brea, for a mentorship program, they strike a deal. In exchange for Sierra keeping her mouth shut about Brea ditching the program, Brea lets Sierra dig for more info on Levi to help get the guy of her dreams.

But when Sierra discovers Levi no longer plays the drums, his family has moved into a trailer, and he’s traded in his Range Rover for a baby blue moped, Sierra’s not sure if she can go through with violating his privacy. She’ll have to find the courage to ask him straight out—if he’s willing to let her in—and explore other ways to seduce the school’s band geek.

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18711450-how-to-seduce-a-band-geek

 

How to Hook a Bookworm (How To #3) by Cassie Mae

Release Date: TBD

Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:

It’s Brea Mason’s sixteenth birthday, and she has three wishes. 1. Be magically eighteen like the rest of her friends. 2. Grow a money tree for her family whose financial problems are well known about town.  3. Overcome her test anxiety before she flunks out of every class.

But one day later, she’s still sixteen, her family’s money worries abound, and she’s no closer to passing than she was the day before!

 

Then a very sexy transfer student—with gobs of cash—shows up. Brea figures she has a better chance of burping up glitter than attracting the new guy, but he seems extremely interested in her.

Just when Brea thinks things are looking up, her report card arrives marked with four giant F’s. Enter resident bookworm and Brea’s loyal friend, Adam Silver. If he can’t help Brea pass, no one can.

Even with Adam’s help, Brea can’t handle the mounting pressure, and finds an escape with the new student who knows little about her problems. 

 

But spending oodles of time with her boyfriend strains the friendship with Adam she relies so heavily on. Faced with losing the only real comfort and support she has ever had, Brea starts to wonder if she can hook a bookworm before it’s too late. 

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18711456-how-to-hook-a-bookworm

 

Links to book one:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17976672-how-to-date-a-nerd?ac=1

 

About the Author

Amazon multi-category and international bestselling author of HOW TO DATE A NERD, HOW TO SEDUCE A BAND GEEK and HOW TO HOOK A BOOKWORM

 

Cassie Mae is a nerd to the core from Utah, who likes to write about other nerds who find love. Her angel children and perfect husband fan her and feed her grapes while she clacks away on the keyboard. Then she wakes up from that dream world and manages to get a few words on the computer while the house explodes around her. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with the youth in her community as a volleyball and basketball coach, or searching the house desperately for chocolate.

 

Cassie Mae is an Amazon.com bestselling author of the teen contemporary romance novel REASONS I FELL FOR THE FUNNY FAT FRIEND, which she self-published. In addition to publishing with Swoon Romance, she is published by Random House Flirt.

Author Links:

http://readingwritingandlovin.blogspot.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7064948.Cassie_Mae

https://twitter.com/CassieCook2

https://www.facebook.com/beccaannauthor

http://pinterest.com/cassiemaecook/

Cover Reveal Organized by:

 

Perfectly Messy Cover Reveal!!!

It’s here! Perfectly Messy’s cover reveal day has arrived!!! *Does cute jig* (Okay, it’s not really cute. But whatever.)

It’s HERE!

First, I am proud to share what Perfectly Messy is all about. Perfectly Messy is the sequel to Effortless With You.

Here’s the novel’s official blurb:

Popularity isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be. Justin Marshall knows this better than most. For the captain of the basketball team, small business owner, and son of Minnesota’s next governor, life can get pretty overwhelming. But Justin can handle anything as long as he has Lucy, the girl who fell for the man he’s trying to be.

But for Justin and Lucy, finding time together proves challenging. Stolen kisses and whispered promises just aren’t enough. That is, until scandalous photos of the couple are leaked to a press intent on creating a juicy scandal during Justin’s dad’s gubernatorial campaign. And when Lucy becomes fair play for the tabloids and gossip pages, Justin does the only thing he can to protect her: he breaks her heart.

For Lucy, junior year is everything she hoped it would be: new friends, second chances, and a boyfriend she can’t stop kissing. That is, until the boy she’s pretty sure she loves chooses the life his family wants for him, over her.

Now it’s up to Lucy to teach him what it really means to have everything. Because for Justin, being who everyone needs him to be just might cost him the one person he can’t live without.

And here’s the cover folks!!! I love it!!!! (Yes, I’m a writer who over uses exclamation marks when necessary. THIS is necessary!)

 

Want to add it on goodreads? Click here!

Want to check out Effortless With You? Feel free to read reviews on GoodReads here and Amazon.

If you aren’t an ebook type person, Effortless With You is available via print on Amazon. Perfectly Messy will also be available in print on Amazon once it’s released.

I can’t wait to share it with you guys. It’s special and the last scene in the book. Oh my gosh. It just makes me melt!!!

YA Bound Book Tours

Full Measures Review + Giveaway!

It’s here! I’m beyond excited that Full Measures, by Rebecca Yarros, is finally available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Wait. You didn’t write Full Measures. No, no I didn’t. In fact, I even have a free review copy, so why should I be so excited that this book is available?

BECAUSE It’s AWESOME! And I want to buy up a few copies. In fact, heck, it’s so awesome that this week I’m giving away THREE copies of this amazing novel by Rebecca Yarros.

Here is the blurb:

She knew. That’s why Mom hadn’t opened the door. She knew he was dead.

Twenty years as an army brat and Ember Howard knew, too. The soldiers at the door meant her dad was never coming home. What she didn’t know was how she would find the strength to singlehandedly care for her crumbling family when her mom falls apart.

Then Josh Walker enters her life. Hockey star, her new next-door neighbor, and not to mention the most delicious hands that insist on saving her over and over again. He has a way of erasing the pain with a single look, a single touch. As much as she wants to turn off her feelings and endure the heartache on her own, she can’t deny their intense attraction.

Until Josh’s secret shatters their world. And Ember must decide if he’s worth the risk that comes with loving a man who could strip her bare.

Purchase Links: Amazon and Barnes and Noble

My review: 5 Stars!

Full Measures is a beautiful new adult novel that dives into the life of a young woman who’s grown up in a military family. Now, I’m not a reviewer that ruins plots. I’m not going to talk through what happens when and how I reacted. But I can say this, the love interest, Josh, is all man. Ugh, duh, he’s the male love interest. Clearly, but allow me to explain. All too often I run into “guys” in new adult novels that never take those steps to really develop into a man that as a character I respect.

I totally respect Josh. Heck, he even made me appreciate a sport that I will never understand (especially the cost that goes into it). Can you guess what sport? Hockey! Yeah, I’m Minnesotan, but I just don’t get Hockey. It’s so darn expensive and who wants to spend more time out on ice? Not me. Anyway, another reason I love him is he makes me go all…

 

And Ember, the main character? Oh, I felt her pain. I felt her struggle!

Yarros instantly (I mean INSTANTLY. Don’t read the first chapter of this book in public if you are a crier!) drew me in with her ability to capture Ember’s voice and spirit in her beautiful writing.

I highly recommend buying this book! Keep in mind, this is a new adult novel (geared for 17+), not a young adult novel. I only offer this reminder because I’m a young adult author and don’t want to throw my younger readers at a novel that’s geared for an older audience. But once they grow up and hit seventeen, you bet they should read and buy this novel for your nook or kindle!

So, if you want to win a FREE copy of Full Measures, enter the giveaway!

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Introducing Perfectly Messy & Giveaway

Hi All!

I’m happy to say I’m “back” from my writing break this December. I don’t know if we can call it a “break” per say because I went and had a baby, but either way, I’m back in action! I’m really excited to introduce you guys to what I was slaving away at that justified my two month break from writing (as if having a baby isn’t enough).

So… *drum roll please* The sequel to Effortless With You is coming in May 2014! That’s right! Lucy and Justin ARE BACK in the novel Perfectly Messy. I’m ridiculously excited about what’s coming next for Lucy and Justin and I want to squeal all about the plot, but obviously I can’t do that. However, I can share some fashion inspirations that you’ll find in the novel.

Now, quick disclaimer, my Lucy from Effortless With You is a bit curvier than these models, but the clothing is definitely the same! And Justin is more of a heart throb than these guys (Yes, even Channing), so don’t get caught up in the body shape as much as the clothes.

This is about fashion, people, fashion!

Anyway, here we go.

Fashion Inspiration for Lucy

Meet the parents look…

Cuddled up moments in a coffee shop look…

 

The “waiting on you” look…

Fashion Inspiration for Justin

The projected look…

 

The “Want to share my hoodie?” look…

The Whatever look. 

Clearly, this is a winter themed novel. Sweaters, hoodies, coffee, tea, apple pie, cold nights… you get it. But wait, isn’t this novel a summer release? Yes, it’s coming out this summer, but only to help keep you comfortable on those sweltering moments under the sun next to the pool. Also, I’m not one to make people wait. People want to know what happens next, so why not give it to them?

Now, tell me, from the fashion can you guess what’s going to happen? Can you, can you, can you?

ALSO Valentine’s Day is around the corner so I thought it was time to have a big old giveaway! You have the chance to win one of two bundles of either Young Adult or New Adult books that have that romantic flare!

Enter here in the rafflecopter. Good luck!

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A Writing Break

Hello again!

Wow, it’s been a long time since I legitametly blogged in my writing wonderland. Why? Well, after the amazing, but crazy, release of Effortless With You, I found myself launched into writing another young adult novel that I think you’ll all enjoy (it may or may not have to do with EWY. That has yet to officially be confirmed *shifts eyes*). Unfortunately, as I’ve spent this fall drafting and editing this novel in conjunction with growing a baby, parenting two toddlers, and working as a nurse, my blogging skills went by the wayside.

But guess what?

In December, I’m taking a writing break!!! Now, don’t get me wrong, I love writing. Creating characters and diving into their stories brings me so much happiness, but I’m a big supporter of breaks. Writing breaks bring such clarity, and often new ideas. When I return from one, without a doubt, I’m a better writer (okay, and wife, mother, and general human being).

So, after six months straight of editing and writing, I’m super excited to embrace this break! I’ve got big plans! Perhaps too big. The biggest one includes welcoming a child into the world. The stress-free ones include re-reading the entire Hunger Games Trilogy, my favorite Harry Potter books, and two of my critique partner’s novels (of which I’ve read before, but love so much!). Not to mention the obvious plan of having fun over the holidays! Now, my lamest task include finishing off twenty -some continuing education credits for my non-writing job as a neonatal intensive care nurse. Needless to say, my journey as an author this year  pushed those credits aside until the last possible moment. I’m playing lots of catch up this month!

What’s cool, is that this non-writing time gives me an opportunity to dive back into blogging again. My passion for writing started as a blogger, in my own corner of the world, over at ThatLizzyGirl.com. Over on that blog, I write about life anyway I please. Here, I try to be more “authorly” focused, but I’m debating abandoning that. It’s not super fun to only write about “how to write.” Also, I struggle with throwing myself out there on the author front. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people contact me privately to point out some missed commas or misspelled words.

*sigh* No one’s perfect, right? I honestly can’t be. I don’t want grammar to hold me back from having fun and reaching out to you all. Yeah, sometimes here or there, something will come off wrong. I’m okay with that. I’d rather blog than sit silent. It’s way more fun this way.

Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that you can expect to hear from me more often. I’ll probably cross post some stuff between the blogs as I try to figure out how/if I should maintain both. In the meantime, please stop in and say hello! I always love visitors.

Now, please excuse me as I slide into my imaginary hot tub.

Ahhh. That’s nice!

 

Run for the Roses is out!

Today I’m celebrating a novella release by another Minnesota author on her blog tour!

Run for the Roses is the second novella by Rachel Schiefelbein (and it’s so good!!!). Rachel grew up in a tiny town here in Minnesota. She still lives there with her husband and four children. She coaches high school speech and theater, and rides Arabian horses.

 

Here’s the blurb about Run for the Roses:

Abigail Conrad has spent her whole life training for one goal: to win the roses at the Arabian Youth Nationals. She’s given up friends, a social life, and doesn’t have time to even think about guys — much less date!

Now that she’s headed off to college in the fall, it’s her last chance to be a Youth National Champion, and she won’t let anything distract her from that dream.

Except maybe Chase, the older brother of Abigail’s biggest rival. He’s charming, funny, and possibly Abigail’s biggest problem. How can she focus on riding when her mind keeps wandering to Chase’s green eyes and confident smile?

 

With her dream on the line, Abigail had better learn to fight her growing attraction to Chase, or she might end up losing the roses and the guy.

 

This novella is such a fantastic read and a great deal! Rachel does such a great job creating authentic characters in Abigail and Chase. I’ve read Rachel’s first novel, Secondary Characters, and I went into this worried I wouldn’t swoon over Chase as much as I did with Lance in her first novel.

I was foolish to worry. I swooned big time!

Rachel does such a great job creating a dynamic and adorable relationship between Abigail and Chase! You’ll love it!

The other aspect of the novella that I loved was the sense of reality built in the story that Rachel brought from her own competitive riding experiences. I really identified how passionate Abigail is about riding and how heavy her choices were in risking that.

This was beautifully written. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a real, sweet, and authentic love story!

Enter the blog tour giveaway to win a free ecopy of Run for the Roses and a $10 itunes gift card!

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If you want to connect with Rachel, here are her links:

http://rachelmarybean-writingonthewall.blogspot.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7044030.Rachel_Schieffelbein

http://www.twitter.com/RMSchieffelbein

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Schieffelbein-author/495759520488755

(Never) Again Review, Playlist, & Blog Hop!

Today I’m pumped to feature author Theresa Paolo’s debut new adult romance novel (Never) Again! (Never) Again is available from Penguin Books via Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

Just when she had finally moved on…

…He moved back.

When college freshman Liz Wagner hears her ex’s voice for the first time since he moved clear across the freaking country, she does what any respectable girl would do: Dive into the girls’ bathroom.

Zach Roberts—the Zach Roberts—is back. And he’s everywhere Liz looks—infiltrating her friend group, buddy-buddy with her brother. It’s enough to ruin college altogether. But what choice does she have but to put on a happy face and pretend he didn’t leave her vulnerable and alone in a pile of emotional wreckage?

Pretending works, until tragedy strikes and the only person available for comfort is the one person she wants to stay away from. When Zach turns out not to be the jerk she convinced herself he was, but the boy she used to love, Liz needs to decide whether to open her heart again to the boy who tore it out

I really enjoyed reading (Never) Again. It was one of those sweet, real new adult romance novels that just made my heart grow! It’s sincere, which I very much appreciated in a new adult novel. I totally understood where the main character was coming from and identified with her (not just because her name is Liz). I’m not someone who writes spoilers, so I won’t go into details. But I definitely recommend checking out this novel.  It made me remember how fantastic it is to surrender to your heart, and fall in love. OH, and the kisses, my gosh. They rocked!

Theresa was kind enough to write a playlist just for me (and you, because I share)! Here are some of the songs that makes her think of the relationship between Liz and Zach in the novel.

1. Gavin Degraw – Not Over You (This song I actually consider the theme song to the book. Every time I hear it I can’t help but turn it up as loud as it goes and belt it out like my life depends on it.)

2. Colbie Caillat – I Never Told You (Love this song)

3. Kelly Clarkson – Since You Been Gone (This sums up Liz’s feelings perfectly)

4. Taylor Swift – Back to December

5. Christina Perri – Jar of Hearts

6. Lady Antebellum – Need You Now

7. Katy Perry – Thinking of You

8. Lifehouse – You and Me

9. Howie Day – Collide

10. Avril Lavigne – When You’re Gone (This music video makes me cry. You can laugh at me. I know. lol Seriously though, when the old man goes into his deceased wife’s closet and touches her clothes, I ugly cry.)

11. Gavin Degraw – Soldier

And one of my awesome CP’s told me, Darius Rucker – Don’t Think I Don’t Think About it, reminded her of Liz and Zach so that has to be included! It’s the bonus track

Thanks for sharing these awesome songs, Theresa!

Now for my part of the blog hop. Theresa set up a (Never) Again blog hop question that has left me a bit stumped. Here’s the question: What is it that you swore you’d never do again, but then ended up doing it?

Wow, there are just so many avenues to take this. I think the one moment (well, two, because I did it again) that really stands out in my mind is a foolish decision from childhood (okay, and later college too, but it’s not drinking related). Around twelve years old, I was having a sleep over with one of my good friends. We decided to get “crazy”  at the time  and rode our bikes to the local grocery store to purchase two whole tubes of frozen M&M cookie dough.

We made it our goal to each consume our entire tube of cookie dough in less than an hour.

The goal was easily met.

But the remaining twelve hours of the sleepover were horrendous. Picture tweens dragging themselves across the carpet, begging adults for broccoli, vegetable soup… ANYTHING to take away the yuck of the state we’d found ourselves in.

Fast forward to a late night in college and yet another cookie dough tube challenge. I don’t know why I took it on. Honestly. I knew it’d make me sick for days, but I did it anyways.

There’s something about sitting around with a good girlfriend and just consuming raw cookie dough, ya know? Best part? We weren’t even eating the stuff because we were mad at our boyfriends, drunk or anything like that. We just wanted some good old, processed cookie dough.

So, that’s my thing! If you want to join in on the blog hop, check out Theresa’s blog: No Rhyme or Reason. Also, I have to send out a big congratulations to Ms. Paolo for writing a great debut novel. Go you!!!

Nerd Blog Hop!!

GUYS! I am so pumped! How To Date a Nerd by Cassie Mae is coming out on September 24th! This book is great and I just can’t wait for you all to dig in and read it.

Check out the GoodRead’s link and add it to your To be Read pile.  You won’t regret it!

I want to share information about a Blog Hop that Cassie Mae is hosting in celebration of the release. Everyone can participate and there are some awesome Nerdy prices included!

Pop on over to Cassie Mae’s blog hop post HERE for the how to’s/rules/etc.

The best part? We get to confess the nerdiest thing we’ve ever done. I can’t wait to browse the hop and see the confessions. I’ll probably get great ideas to add to my To Do List.