Zara Hoffman's Blog: Zara Hoffman's Goodreads Author Blog, page 17

NerdCon: Nerdfighteria 2017

Whew! What a weekend. I've needed 2 days to recover from all the awesomeness of NerdCon: Nerdfighteria 2017. For those of you who don't have any idea of what I'm talking about, let me explain. Nerdfighteria is the fandom name of the YouTube-famous VlogBrothers (Hank Green and award-winning YA author John Green) that are dedicated to the proliferation of awesome and decrease of "WorldSuck." This international army of people (there were upwards of 3,000 people at the Hynes Convention Center this past weekend, and countless others who were unable to make the trip) includes normal nerds and other YouTube stars (like the SuperCarlinBrothers and The Financial Diet, just to name 2). the official Nerdfighteria logo: a double-crossed Vulcan saluteBasically, it's a group of "nerds," or people who are "unironically enthusiastic" (coined by—who else?—John Green). And, man, people were passionate. Whenever someone walked on stage, people screamed. But, obviously, no one screamed more for anyone besides the Green brothers. I spent so much of my phone battery on Saturday and Sunday filming those two just chat—my phone almost died at the end of the whole convention, and I still don't regret it.

…because nerds like us are allowed to be unironically enthusiastic about stuff… Nerds are allowed to love stuff, like jump-up-and-down-in-the-chair-can’t-control-yourself love it. Hank, when people call people nerds, mostly what they’re saying is ‘you like stuff.’ Which is just not a good insult at all. Like, ‘you are too enthusiastic about the miracle of human consciousness.’

The first event I went to was cool, it was a brainstorm session for the reboot/continuation of How To Adult, formerly run by Emma Mills and T. Michael Martin (who are both authors, and were on a later panel which I mention later in this blog post), which will now be run by Rachel Calderon Navarro and Hank Green (this dude is EVERYWHERE: VlogBrothers, SciShow—there was a live SciShow showdown in the Closing Ceremony, Crash Course, Project For Awesome (P4A)—a fundraising campaign for people's favorite organizations, of which NaNoWriMo won in 2015: see video), and more—just Google him to find out what he's involved it... it's a long list).

There were lots of events, some of which filled so quickly, I unfortunately couldn't go to (e.g. Accio Identity—even though I knew 2 people on the panel!!!). The problem was also there were so many good events happening simultaneously that hard choices had to be made. (e.g. John Green's panel called Let's Talk About Mental Health was in the same time slot as the SuperCarlinBrothers' panel on How Not To Suck At Vlogging). The Carlins won there because I have a friend who went to the Mental Health panel & I'm waiting for her notes. Man, those two are so cool. I actually met them on Saturday during a break when I & a few other people ambushed them, asking for photos.

I jut met @scb_ben & @jonkerlin at @nerdconnerdfighteria!!! I can die happy now.

A post shared by Zara Hoffman (@zarahoffman) on Feb 25, 2017 at 9:54am PST

Just a pic of @jonkerlin & @scb_ben being awesome... IN PERSON @ the How Not To Suck At Vlogging @nerdconnerdfighteria panel. Had a blast.

A post shared by Zara Hoffman (@zarahoffman) on Feb 26, 2017 at 5:12pm PST

They were super nice about it, had an awesome selfie system set up, and were SO knowledgeable and funny, even though Ben said, "When people meet us in person, they expect us to be exactly like we are in our videos... that would be hard pressed." I videoed the whole panel & am still in the process of transcribing it in my Bullet Journal.

I also went to a Reading & Writing panel featuring a bunch of writers who gave fun, funny, and interesting anecdotes in addition to some really good advice. It was also just super inspiring to hear them talk. I wish John Green had been there too, but given he talks about his writing a lot on VlogBrothers, I can't begrudge him for talking about other stuff in person.

All of that, plus seeing some friends from Brandeis University (where I transferred from) made this weekend so fun.

To be honest, I'm still kind of exhausted, but I know that the next time there's a NerdCon near me, I'm going! I'm going to sign off like Nerdfighteria does: Don't forget to be awesome (DFTBA)!

Valentine's Day 2017

Happy Valentine's Day! Congratulations to all you happy couples out there.

To all the singletons like me: I'll be honest, today is just another school day for me. Nothing too exciting. But it almost was something more. And before you assume I'm talking about my personal love life—I assure you, it's still non-existent.What I'm talking about is my current WIP:  The Matchmakers . When January 27 came and went without me being able to finish the first draft, much less publish the novel, I briefly entertained the idea of miraculously finishing the book for a Valentine's Day publication. Obviously, that isn't happening.

But, I can now say that my homework load is becoming more manageable and I am dedicated to taking advantage of my free time to write, revise, and edit this story until I can finally deliver it to you all!Title: The Matchmakers
Author: Zara Hoffman
Genre: YA Dystopian Romance
Publisher: ZH Press
Publication Date: TBA
ISBN-13: 978-0-9864279-3-0

Add on Goodreads Read on WattpadLove is a science in the 23rd Century.

Rosemary is only seventeen years old. So why is she being Matched a year early? And to the President’s son within twenty-four hours of a terrorist attack?

When her older sister is tied to the crime, Rosemary must discover the secrets of her society—and grapple with the possibility that the Matchmakers were wrong.

Is it possible to find love in a society controlled by logic and science?

The Matchmakers is a YA dystopian romance novel. Zara Hoffman's immersive world, three-dimensional characters, and political intrigue will keep you hooked from the very first page.

Blog Tour: Unrest by Wendy Higgins

About the BookTitle: Unrest
Series: Unknown, 2
Author: Wendy Higgins
Genre: NA Apocalyptic Romance
Publication Date: February 14, 2017

Being on the run in the desert means food and sanctuary are hard to come by, but Amber Tate and her crew are not about to give up. Not after having so many of the things they love brutally ripped from them by the unknown enemy who sent their world into an apocalypse.  

Survival takes precedence, but once safe shelter is found, their guards fall and the emotions they’ve been holding in are finally released. Anger, insecurities... lust. Amber, Rylen, Tater, and Remy cannot escape it in their tight quarters. The past must be faced, and passions run even stronger in the darkest of times.

In the midst of unrest, their worlds are rocked again when the truth is made known about the war that’s ruined their lives. They thought finding out who the enemy was would give them the edge; instead it’s revealed terrifying dangers they never thought possible. 
Excerpt“You don’t have to stay out here,” he murmured.

“I know. But I want to.”
​
“Well, I appreciate the company.”
​I lifted my face to smile at him just as he pulled the binoculars away to look down at me. We both tightened our grips, jolting to find our faces so close. I felt the warmth of his breath on my nose and cheeks. I knew his mouth would be warm. So warm. When he didn’t move away, I slowly went up on my tip-toes and pressed my lips to his cheek, his scruff rough against my softness. I stayed there, my face against his. Oh, my God, what was I doing? This wasn’t like holding hands. We were too close. Too intimate. His breaths puffed out faster. My hands moved up to his chest.

“Pepper...” I could feel his heart beating fast through his sweatshirt.
​
I didn't move, didn't speak.About the Author Wendy Higgins is a soccer mom and backstage drama mama. Most people in her tiny bayside town don't know she's a USA Today and NYT bestselling author of paranormal, fantasy, and science-fiction romances. Wendy is a former high school English teacher who now writes full time in her pajamas, and lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with her veterinarian husband, daughter, son, and little doggie Rue.

Wendy earned a bachelor's in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford University. About Book 1: ​UnrestTitle: Unknown
Series: Unknown, 1
Author: Wendy Higgins
Genre: NA Apocalyptic Romance
Publication Date: August 16, 2016

Amber Tate believes the worst thing she’ll suffer in life is dealing with the unrequited love she feels for her brother’s best friend, Rylen Fite. She also believes war is something unfortunate that happens places far, far away from her rural Nevada town. She’s wrong on both counts.

When an unknown organization meticulously bombs major cities in the United States and across the globe, a trickle-down effect spreads to remaining towns at an alarming speed—everything from food and water sources to technological communications are compromised. Without leadership, the nation is split between paralysis and panic, but Amber isn’t one to hide or watch helplessly. She’s determined to put her nursing skills to use, despite the danger, even if it means working alongside the man she can never have.

In this first installment of NY Times bestselling author, Wendy Higgins’s debut New Adult series, a frighteningly realistic apocalyptic America is brought to life, entwined with searing romantic tension that will leave you eager for more.

Release Day Launch: Unrest by Wendy Higgins

About the BookTitle: Unrest
Series: Unknown, 2
Author: Wendy Higgins
Genre: NA Apocalyptic Romance
Publication Date: February 14, 2017

Being on the run in the desert means food and sanctuary are hard to come by, but Amber Tate and her crew are not about to give up. Not after having so many of the things they love brutally ripped from them by the unknown enemy who sent their world into an apocalypse.  

Survival takes precedence, but once safe shelter is found, their guards fall and the emotions they’ve been holding in are finally released. Anger, insecurities... lust. Amber, Rylen, Tater, and Remy cannot escape it in their tight quarters. The past must be faced, and passions run even stronger in the darkest of times.

In the midst of unrest, their worlds are rocked again when the truth is made known about the war that’s ruined their lives. They thought finding out who the enemy was would give them the edge; instead it’s revealed terrifying dangers they never thought possible. 
Excerpt​Remy put her head on my shoulder and I got a small but distinct whiff of chocolate.

“I might have to lick you, Rem,” I blurted.

Both Tater and Rylen turned to us, nearly cracking heads in the process.

“She smells like chocolate,” I explained. Tater shook his head and faced forward again. Ry gave me one last bemused look before turning back too.“Hey,” Remy whispered. She raised her free hand to my face, and to my shock, there was half of the tiny candy pinched between her finger and thumb. “I saved half for you.”

My heart lurched with emotion. “Are you serious?”

She nodded and her chin quivered as she raised the M&M to my mouth and fed it to me. She licked her fingers off while I savored the tiny morsel. My eyes watered as I crunched down and Remy said, “Good, right?”

A second later we were hugging and crying all over again.

“We have to save our water,” I choked.

​She sniffled and let go of me to wipe her face. “No more crying.” About the Author Wendy Higgins is a soccer mom and backstage drama mama. Most people in her tiny bayside town don't know she's a USA Today and NYT bestselling author of paranormal, fantasy, and science-fiction romances. Wendy is a former high school English teacher who now writes full time in her pajamas, and lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with her veterinarian husband, daughter, son, and little doggie Rue.

Wendy earned a bachelor's in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford University. About Book 1: UnknownTitle: Unknown
Series: Unknown, 1
Author: Wendy Higgins
Genre: NA Apocalyptic Romance
Publication Date: August 16, 2016

Amber Tate believes the worst thing she’ll suffer in life is dealing with the unrequited love she feels for her brother’s best friend, Rylen Fite. She also believes war is something unfortunate that happens places far, far away from her rural Nevada town. She’s wrong on both counts.

When an unknown organization meticulously bombs major cities in the United States and across the globe, a trickle-down effect spreads to remaining towns at an alarming speed—everything from food and water sources to technological communications are compromised. Without leadership, the nation is split between paralysis and panic, but Amber isn’t one to hide or watch helplessly. She’s determined to put her nursing skills to use, despite the danger, even if it means working alongside the man she can never have.

In this first installment of NY Times bestselling author, Wendy Higgins’s debut New Adult series, a frighteningly realistic apocalyptic America is brought to life, entwined with searing romantic tension that will leave you eager for more.

Blog Tour: Cashmere by Temple West

About the BookTitle: Cashmere
Series: Velvet, 2
Author: Temple West
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Medias Res Publications
Publication Date: February 14, 2017

This high-stakes sequel to Velvet proves that when you’re the only human caught in a paranormal war, high school can get a little tricky. With Adrian’s brother trapped in hell, the Praetorian Guard has made Stony Creek their base-of-operations, but Caitlin has a bad feeling they’re more interested in her than in finding Lucian. Caught in a sea of conspiracies and lies, Caitlin and Adrian perform a risky magical procedure in an attempt to protect Caitlin from compulsion.

Relieved that her nightmares have ended, Caitlin is disturbed to find that something even stranger has taken their place.

Determined to get on with her life, even amid a crazy paranormal manhunt, she applies for a competitive summer fashion internship in New York. Searching desperately for answers about what Caitlin might be, how Adrian’s father is involved, and where Lucian has been kidnapped to, Caitlin and Adrian must rely on each other to survive. But when the truth finally comes to light, the consequences are unimaginable.

And the question still haunts them both: even if they survive, how will they deal with the fact that Adrian is immortal and Caitlin is not?
Excerpt​“Kalare?”  I asked,  peeking  into  her room.  She’d  taken over  my former suite on the third floor, so she was literally across the hall from my sewing studio.

She was sprawled back on the bed, a cigarette dangling from her lips and a bottle of beer sweating onto the very expensive silk comforter. “Yeah?” she asked, not looking up from her book. She was also wearing reading glasses.

“I have a question, but first, why are you wearing glasses?”

“That’s already a question,” she said, still not looking up from her book.

“Fine, then I have two questions.”

She ripped a corner off the beer label and stuck it between the pages as a bookmark. “They’re hipster frames, no prescription. Mariana’s got the upper class covered so I figured I should represent the youth of America.”

I couldn’t help but grin at her. “You’ll do perfectly.”

She frowned at my grin. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

“Look, I have this application due Monday and I need your help.”

She eyed me warily. “Doing what?”

I shot  her an overly  exasperated  look. “Holding  stuff,  and stuff. Come on! Do you want me to live up to my potential or not?”

She snorted, but set the book down and scooted to the edge of the bed. “I’m not your mother, you doofus.”I grinned at her as she followed me into my studio. “Take your biker death jacket off.”

She glanced down at her leather jacket. “Biker death jacket?”

“It’s all ripped and covered in spikes! You look like you belong in The Lost Boys.”

“Keifer Sutherland was hot.”

“Yeah, in the ‘80s.”

“That was practically yesterday for me.”

“Great! Jacket off.”

While she frowned and slid the jacket off, I quickly texted Adrian: Bring Julian to my studio.

A moment later he texted back: Why?

Just do it, I typed. It’ll be funny.

As soon as Kalare turned back to me I slid the phone in my pocket. She was down to her ripped skinny jeans, biker boots, and a white tank top. I half-expected her to be covered in tattoos, but her skin was completely free of ink. Maybe vampires couldn’t get tattoos?

“All right,” she muttered around the cigarette, “what hell have you in store for me today?”

“I actually need you to change into this,” I said, handing her the dark green velvet dress that I’d made for Winter Formal.

She looked at the fabric as though it were Cindy Lou Who and she was the Grinch.

“Yeah, I don’t really do dresses. Go get Sabine.”

I stared pointedly at her. “Sabine literally wants to kill me. Help me, Kalare Whatever-Your-Last-Name-Is. You’re my only hope.”

“You weren’t even born when that came out,” she muttered.

“Dude, put the dress on. I just need to snap a picture for the application; it’ll take thirty seconds.”

“Why can’t you put the dress on and I take the picture?”

“Are you a photographer?”

She feigned indignation. “I dabble.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m already featured in the other outfit. I can’t be in both of them; that’s like, narcissistic. I want them to take me seriously. Dress.”

She glowered at me, but stuck the cigarette behind her ear and went behind the changing screen in the corner of the room.

“You owe me big time,” she grumbled.

“Yeah, yeah.”

There were the sounds of struggling and a string of inventive curses. “How the hellfire do you even get this on?”

“It literally just goes over your head.”

Several more curses later, Kalare stepped around the edge of the screen at the exact moment the door to the studio opened. A very irritated Julian came into the room followed by a very confused Adrian.

Kalare and Julian stopped dead, staring at each other. Then Kalare turned to me, glaring. “I’m going to kill you.”Giveaway​1 winner will received signed copies of Velvet and Cashmere, International. Temple is supplying the giveaway and her rules are here. Please include the link in your post. Giveaway ends 2/22/17.a Rafflecopter giveaway Tour Schedule​February 7 -- The Book Hookup — Character Interview
February 8 -- Literary Dust — Review
February 9 -- DanaSquare — Quirky Q&A
February 10 -- BookCatPin — Book Excerpt / Quotes
February 11 --  The Book Academy — Video Interview
February 12 -- And Then There Were Books — Review
February 13 -- Zara's Scribblings — Excerpt (you are here)
February 14 -- A Page With a View — Interview
February 15 -- Crossroads Reviews — Review
February 16 --  Adventures of a  Book Junkie — Interview
February 17 -- Bumblebee Books — Spotlight
February 18 -- Rants and Raves of a Bibliophile — Book Excerpt / Quotes
February 19 -- A Perfection Called Books — Quirky Q&A
February 20 -- A Leisure Moment — Quirky Q&A
February 21 -- Living Within Fiction — Interview About Book 1: VelvetTitle: Velvet
Series: Velvet, 1
Author: Temple West
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: May 12, 2015

First rule of dealing with hot vampire bodyguards? Don't fall in love.

After losing both her parents before age seventeen, aspiring designer Caitlin Holte feels like her whole world has been turned upside down, and that was before the terrifying encounter with a supernatural force. Then, she learns that her hot bad-boy neighbor, Adrian—who might have just saved her life—is actually a half-demon vampire.

Suddenly Caitlin is stuck with a vampire bodyguard who feels that the best way to protect her is to become her pretend boyfriend. Trouble is, Caitlin is starting to fall in love for real, while Adrian can never love a human. Caitlin trusts Adrian to keep her safe from his demon father, but will he be able to protect her heart?
About the Author The debut author of the YA paranormal romance Velvet is as nerdy in real life as she is on the Twitter. Armed with a very shiny English degree, she spent four months in Oxford holed up at the Radcliffe Camera amongst the hush of ancient books and the rich musk of academia. Returning to Los Angeles, she acquired a concurrent degree in film, mostly as an excuse to write essays about The Princess Bride and Hook. She can sew (poorly), drive stick (please fasten your seatbelt), and mostly lift her feet off the ground while stuttering into first gear on a very small motorcycle. She currently lives in Seattle but tends to wander from city to city like the gypsy she is.

You can order her book, if you're into ordering AWESOME THINGS.

Sale Alert: Paper Hearts by Claire Contreras

About the BookTitle: Paper Hearts
Series: Hearts, 2
Author: Claire Contreras
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: September 9, 2015

I lost her.
No. I threw her away.
She was my best friend.

I was never supposed to fall in love with her.
I was careless.
She was heartbroken.

I thought I was doing fine. But here she is, years later, forced to work with me, reminding me why I fell in love with her in the first place.
And this time I'm going to do everything in my power to never let her go.
The Other Books



About the AuthorClaire Contreras is a New York Times Best Selling Author. Her books range from romantic suspense to contemporary romance and are currently translated in seven different languages.
​ 
She lives in Miami, Fl with her husband, two adorable boys, three bulldogs, and two stray cats that she refuses to admit are hers (even though they live on her porch, she named them, and continues to feed them). When she's not writing, she's usually lost in a book.

Book Review: Planned Seduction by Jess Dee

My ReviewI enjoyed this book, but I had a lot of issues with Amy.

The plot was cute, the secondary characters were cool, and Daniel was awesome. I was kind of surprised that his "planned seduction" didn't bother me (because a similar thing definitely did in another book I recently read).

​Let me go into it a bit more.
At first, I liked Amy. She was sassy and seemed fun. Her aversion to entering into a relationship with Daniel seemed valid (at first). But she continually ignored her feelings (usual for the genre, but she overdid it to even what I'm used to reading). And then she is so closed off to the idea of being with Daniel that she not only turns him off, but me too (and that's never a good thing).

Thankfully, I like them together, and that's really the most important part of any romance story (obviously). Daniel was actually a great guy, despite stacking the cards to get Amy to fall for him by enlisting a lot of people's help to get the job done.

All in all? This was a fun book, with a few persistent issues, so it earns 3 stars from me.
About the BookTitle: Planned Seduction
Author: Jess Dee
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing LLC
Publication Date: January 30, 2017

He has a offer she can’t refuse

Daniel Tanner’s been in love with Amy since they were teenagers, and he’s tired of being seen as the proverbial best friend. If she would only give him a chance to show her how good they could be together, that giving in to the fiery attraction between them won’t burn up and ruin their friendship.

Amy Morgan has had a front row seat to the parade of women coming in and out of Daniel’s life for years, and she’s not interested in risking their friendship for something that would eventually end in heartache. And that’s how it would end, because if Amy’s learned anything in life, it’s that men leave. She couldn’t handle having her heart broken by her best friend, even if the promise of untold passion is keeping her up nights.

But no one knows Amy better than Daniel, and he’s devised a plan to show her they can have it all.
Giveawaya Rafflecopter giveaway About the AuthorAn avid romance reader since her early teens, Jess knew one day, when she grew up, she’d have to write her own love stories. And she did. Although the first one was pretty awful.
​
But once she discovered it was okay to leave the bedroom door open in her romance novels, she decided to leave everything open. Buttons, zips, pants, number of lovers...Which is why her books are all steamy erotic romances. Jess’s first published story was originally contracted in 2005. Since then, she’s completed over 30 books, and is finally doing the work she loves most—writing romance.

While Jess lived most of her life in South Africa, the last fourteen years have been spent in Australia. From the fast-paced Sydney lifestyle to the laid-back islands and beaches, there’s always another gorgeous Aussie setting for a contemporary romance.

Excerpt Reveal: Unrest by Wendy Higgins

Today we're revealing an excerpt from Unrest​ by Wendy Higgins! Check it out and grab your copy today!Title: Unrest
Series: Unknown, 2
Author: Wendy Higgins
Genre: NA Apocalyptic Romance
Publication Date: February 14, 2017

Being on the run in the desert means food and sanctuary are hard to come by, but Amber Tate and her crew are not about to give up. Not after having so many of the things they love brutally ripped from them by the unknown enemy who sent their world into an apocalypse.  

Survival takes precedence, but once safe shelter is found, their guards fall and the emotions they’ve been holding in are finally released. Anger, insecurities... lust. Amber, Rylen, Tater, and Remy cannot escape it in their tight quarters. The past must be faced, and passions run even stronger in the darkest of times.

In the midst of unrest, their worlds are rocked again when the truth is made known about the war that’s ruined their lives. They thought finding out who the enemy was would give them the edge; instead it’s revealed terrifying dangers they never thought possible. 
Exclusive Excerpt​A golden hue of sunrise turned night into dawn. I sat on a small boulder, staring at the sliver of sun through trees of the Nevada parkland, the same spot where I’d been sitting silently in the dark for two hours in the cold. I couldn’t take Remy’s whimpering and soul-crushing cries each time she fell back asleep in the tent, venturing into nightmares of what she’d seen the night before. What we’d all seen. I might never sleep again.
 
Mom. Dad. Abuela.
 
I fought back another wave of debilitating grief that made my bones feel like liquid—like I’d never have the ability to stand again. Have to be strong. Have to be strong. I rocked back and forth with my eyes shut tight. I couldn’t afford to give in to the loss. If I did, it would consume me whole and devour my will to live. I took a deep breath in and let it out slowly.
​We’d been fired up to leave the nature preserve last night and head north to the base in Utah after hearing the Morse code message, supposedly from other military personnel in hiding, like us. But we decided to wait until morning since we needed more light to plan our trip on the map. Plus, headlights in the night would be too easy to spot, and we were all worthless last night, running on adrenaline and vengeance, one step away from crashing. I never did crash or sleep a wink, even though my adrenaline was long gone.
 
The soft sunrise was too pretty—too majestic—for the way I felt inside. Raw. Like my heart had been grated. During the night, I’d begun to believe the sun would never rise again, and now that it was I felt as if the Earth were mocking what we’d been through, reminding me just how miniscule and unremarkable we were. A new day was happening despite what we’d lost. The world wasn’t stopping to mourn. It felt wrong.
 
We’d been so close to the camp yesterday where the Disaster Relief Initiative, the DRI personnel, had taken my parents, my grandmother, Remy’s parents, and Rylen’s wife Livia. We watched in confusion as those DRI bastards fled. Then we’d watched in disbelief as Air Force jets dropped a bomb on that camp, obliterating our family and the people from our town. Oh, God.
 
I pressed the back of my hand to my mouth and squeezed my eyes shut. Even while the world fell apart around us, I never imagined anything would happen to my parents. I never let myself believe it was possible, even after watching my Grandpa Tate shot and killed by a Disaster Relief Personnel—fucking Derps. Who was I without my parents? I was the daughter of an Army man and a Mexican dancer. A Green Machine and a Señorita. A small bubble of laughter worked its way through a sob in my throat when I thought about my parents’ silly banter with each other. Their relentless love and devotion to me and my older brother, Tater.
 
The sound of a tent’s zipper wrenched through the morning solitude and I quickly wiped my eyes. I looked over and saw Rylen crouching as he pushed through the opening. The golden hue of sun made his blond hair and the scruff on his face stand out. His eyes met mine and I had to swallow hard at the sight of pain in his expression. I’d already cried so much last night.
 
Seeing those solemn gray eyes brought back a flood of memories: young, scrawny Rylen Fite, loved and cared for by my parents like he was their own son. And his eyes reflected his remembrance too, as if he felt their absence as prominently as I did. But he’d lost a wife, as well. Maybe she hadn’t been his wife in every technical sense of the word, but he’d been trying to make it right. Every bit of his loss was reflected in the heavy way he sat on the rock beside me and rubbed his face before staring out at the sunrise.About ​UnknownTitle: Unknown
Series: Unknown, 1
Author: Wendy Higgins
Genre: NA Apocalyptic Romance
Publication Date: August 16, 2016

Amber Tate believes the worst thing she’ll suffer in life is dealing with the unrequited love she feels for her brother’s best friend, Rylen Fite. She also believes war is something unfortunate that happens places far, far away from her rural Nevada town. She’s wrong on both counts.

When an unknown organization meticulously bombs major cities in the United States and across the globe, a trickle-down effect spreads to remaining towns at an alarming speed—everything from food and water sources to technological communications are compromised. Without leadership, the nation is split between paralysis and panic, but Amber isn’t one to hide or watch helplessly. She’s determined to put her nursing skills to use, despite the danger, even if it means working alongside the man she can never have.

In this first installment of NY Times bestselling author, Wendy Higgins’s debut New Adult series, a frighteningly realistic apocalyptic America is brought to life, entwined with searing romantic tension that will leave you eager for more.
About the Author Wendy Higgins is a soccer mom and backstage drama mama. Most people in her tiny bayside town don't know she's a USA Today and NYT bestselling author of paranormal, fantasy, and science-fiction romances. Wendy is a former high school English teacher who now writes full time in her pajamas, and lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with her veterinarian husband, daughter, son, and little doggie Rue.

Wendy earned a bachelor's in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford University.

Book Review: The List by Tawna Fenske

My ReviewI don't think I've read a book that has just made me smile without also making me frown about other issues (plot, characters, etc). I really had no complaints about this book. Well, maybe one. The plot was a bit generic, but the characters were so enjoyable, I don't really care.

Loved Cassie: she's awkward, smart, but has an adventurous spirit. She's considerate, goofy, and is such a sweetheart.

Simon is sexy as hell, he's smart, and is a great lover and brother. He makes one big mistake in the novel, but it's understandable, and I don't think less of him for it.Their interactions are sweet as well as sexy and there's one ​"Simon says" joke had me laughing as I read. There's no bad manipulation on either end (which is surprisingly hard to come by lately, at least in the books I've been reading). I love them together as a couple, and I love their romance (ups and downs, and all).

​The List ​was a fun light read that kept me turning the pages to see how Cassie and Simon would tick off the items of The "Fucket" List. About the BookTitle: The List
Series: The List, 1
Author: Tawna Fenske
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing LLC
Publication Date: January 30, 2017

As the millionaire owner of a chain of computer shops, Simon Traxel isn’t normally hands-on with mundane repairs. But when a fretful brunette shows up with her fried laptop and killer green eyes, he makes an exception. And as it turns out, she needs more hands-on help than Simon imagined.

Brainy soil scientist Cassie Michaels has spent her whole life feeling like a grungy tree trunk beside her delicate flower sisters. To make herself more interesting, Cassie invented stories about her wild sex life—stories she’s expected to retell in vivid detail at a bachelorette party. Cassie’s attempt to catalog her biggest whoppers goes awry when she spills wine on her laptop and lands in Simon’s shop with her sexy list frozen on the screen.

But Simon’s interest is piqued, and the two strike a deal to make Cassie’s make-believe sexploits a reality. From steamy public romps gone hilariously awry, to sexy antics with kitchen utensils, their quest to conquer The List is equal parts scorching hot and adorably awkward.

As they near the end of The List though, Cassie and Simon second guess their pledge to shake hands and say goodbye when they cross off the last item. But will Simon’s big secret make that the one fantasy that can never come true?
Giveawaya Rafflecopter giveaway About the AuthorTawna Fenske is a USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Her offbeat brand of romance has received multiple starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, one of which noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”

Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year.

Release Day Launch: Long Way Home by Katie McGarry

The highly anticipated third book in Katie McGarry’s Thunder Road Series is being released today! Long Way Home is a Young Adult Contemporary Romance being published by Harlequin Teen! Grab your copy of the next book in this emotionally charged series, and don’t miss Violet and Chevy’s story!About the BookTitle: Long Way Home
Series: Thunder Road, 3
Author: Katie McGarry
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: January 31, 2017

Seventeen-year-old Violet has always been expected to sit back and let the boys do all the saving.

It’s the code her father, a member of the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, raised her to live by. Yet when her dad is killed carrying out Terror business, Violet knows it’s up to her to do the saving. To protect herself, and her vulnerable younger brother, she needs to cut all ties with the club—including Chevy, the boy she’s known and loved her whole life.

But when a rival club comes after Violet, exposing old secrets and making new threats, she’s forced to question what she thought she knew about her father, the Reign of Terror, and what she thinks she wants. Which means re-evaluating everything: love, family, friends . . . and forgiveness.

Caught in the crosshairs between loyalty and freedom, Violet must decide whether old friends can be trusted—and if she’s strong enough to be the one person to save them all.
Excerpt​The instructions of the English homework I didn’t do hangs out from the top of my folder: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both.

Story of my life.

According to my football coach, I chose wrongly on the two crap paths I had to face last week. I just ran into Coach on the way to English, and he ripped into me for my sorry decision-making skills when it came to me choosing to stand up for the Reign of Terror Motorcycle Club instead of a member of my football team.

I didn’t just get my ass chewed out, his tirade made me late for English with no tardy note. Which is great since my English teacher hates late students like I hate riding  my motorcycle in forty degree weather while it rains.

I round the corner, then peek through the small window on the door of my class. Ms. Whitlock stands in front of her desk in her patented white button-down shirt, gray pencil skirt, and dark-rimmed glasses. From the back row, my best friend Razor meets my eyes and shakes his head. Damn. That means she’s in one of her moods where she’s refusing to let anyone in. 
​I’m not a tail-tucked-between-my-legs type of guy, but this lady is one of the few who can reduce me to begging. If she doesn’t let me in, then she’ll mark me as absent, the front office will think I skipped, and that means I won’t be able to play at tonight’s football game. 

The window rattles when I knock. The entire class turns their heads in my direction, but Ms. Whitlock doesn’t. The muscles in my neck tighten. She is one of the hardest core people I know and my grandfather is the president of a motorcycle club. That says something. 

She starts for the white board and I knock on the door again. This time, Ms. Whitlock does look my way and she grants me the type of glare reserved for people who kick puppies. I got it. I’m late. I’m the scum of humanity, so let my ass in so I can play football.

There’s this guy in my club, Pigpen. He’s about the same age as Ms. Whitlock, late twenties, and he’s a walking hard-on for this woman even though she would never give him the time of day. He practically runs into walls when she’s around because he’s too focused on checking her out. I don’t see gorgeous—all I see is seriously pissed off and the person standing between me and playing. 

Ms. Whitlock points at the clock over her desk. She’s telling me I can wait. If I’m lucky, she’ll open the door after the quiz that I’ll receive a zero on. If I’m not so lucky, she won’t open the door at all.

Two pathetic paths and I could only travel one. Nowhere in that stupid poem did it mention there was good and bad to both paths and that sometimes it’s best not to choose, but to set up camp at the fork and do nothing at all. 

I slam my hand into the nearest locker, almost relishing the sting.

“Feel better?”

​A glance across the hallway and I freeze. Doesn’t matter how many times I see her in a day, she still manages to take my breath away. Giveawaya Rafflecopter giveawayAbout the Author ​Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie is the author of full length YA novels, Pushing the Limits , Dare You To , Crash Into You , Take Me On ,  Breaking the Rules , Nowhere But Here , and Walk the Edge and the e-novellas, Crossing the Line and Red at Night . Her debut YA novel, Pushing the Limits was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. Dare You To was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.