#spencerhill

[atkozottcoimbrak]

Azon gondolkodtam, hogy lehetséges az, hogy a Nincs kettő négy nélkül eleje a vége. Tehát amikor az elején felrobban a kocsi abban Greg és Elliot ül? Így legalább lenne értelme magyarázat nélkül is. Remélem tudok aludni.

[gotgame25]

#BudSpencer #😢 #SpencerHill #WhoDidNotLikeHim #RIP

[zilirobins]

One Of The Guys Tour & Review

One of the Guys by Lisa Aldin Released Feb 10th by Spencer Hill Contemporary. Add to Goodreads

Tomboy to the core, Toni Valentine understands guys. She'll take horror movies, monster hunts and burping contests over manicures. So Toni is horrified when she's sent to the Winston Academy for Girls, where she has to wear a skirt and learn to be a "lady" while the guys move on without her. Then Toni meets Emma Elizabeth, a girl at school with boy troubles, and she volunteers one of her friends as a pretend date. Word spreads of Toni’s connections with boys, and she discovers that her new wealthy female classmates will pay big money for fake dates. Looking for a way to connect her old best friends with her new life at school, Toni and Emma start up Toni Valentine’s Rent-A-Gent Service.  But the business meets a scandal when Toni falls for one of her friends--the same guy who happens to be the most sought-after date. With everything she's built on the line, Toni has to decide if she wants to save the business and her old life, or let go of being one of the guys for a chance at love. Buy link:  Amazon I received a copy from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review!

What I say: One of the Guys is a fun coming-of-age story. It focuses on tomboy Toni aka McRib and her group of best guy friends. The story follows them as during their last year of high school and as they prepare for Uni.

Main character Toni is used to hanging out with the guys. They've spent their childhood monster hunting and have grown up together. Things change when a misplaced prank sees Toni forced to attend an all girls school, away from Loch, Ollie and Cowboy (as a graduate of a British all girls grammar school I felt her pain).

Toni isn't used to being around girls and takes the move badly. She soon finds herself involved in a 'Rent-a-Gent' scheme with fellow pupil Emma. Toni 'lends' her guy friends to girls with boy trouble. I found this section really funny because some of the dating disasters made smile and reminded me of my school days.

Other parts of the story were really sad or bittersweet. Toni doesn't like change so the shifts in the friendship structure of the group hit her hard. I felt the way Aldin covered these changes was pretty accurate - As sad as it is people don't always keep the same friendships and priority's do change. 

I did sometimes find myself getting a little mystified about the ages of the characters because Toni often seemed much younger than she was. For the most part her antics made me smile but I was over her constant burping etc after a few chapters. She did manage to make me laugh a lot though. I liked seeing her progress throughout the story and become more accepting of the idea of change. The secondary characters, particularly Emma, Ollie and Micah were fun - Emma had some great one-liners. 

I did find the nickname/real name crossovers confusing at the start but as I got used to some of the characters having more than one name I just went with it. I would have liked a little more info on their friendships and a more developed ending to help finish Toni's story but it works as it is. One of the Guys made feel sentimental for my monster hunting days and past friendships.

3.5 Stars in my Sky!

Author Spotlight: 

Lisa Aldin graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in English Literature. She now lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and daughter. ONE OF THE GUYS is her debut novel. Twitter * tumblr Excerpt:

One month later, I’m sitting in a brightly lit classroom at the Winston Academy for Girls. My dad used to joke that the day I wore a skirt would be the day the zombie apocalypse rolled into town. Two hours in and I have yet to see a zombie, but I do feel like the living dead. Someone bathed in raspberry perfume this morning, causing a war to rage inside my nostrils. I might fall to the floor and convulse, the smell’s that thick. 

Maybe it’s not the perfume. Maybe I’m allergic to all this estrogen. 

“You okay?” the girl next to me whispers. 

I respond by covering my mouth and sneezing so hard that a giant wad of snot lands in the palm of my hand. Carefully, I move my hand under the desk and smile. 

“Fine,” I reply. “Just tired.” 

The girl chews on a strand of her honey-colored hair as she attempts to write down every word of the lecture. A leather day planner rests at the edge of her desk, a name embroidered in pink curly letters at the bottom: Emma Elizabeth Swanson. 

I’m definitely not in public school anymore.

Our Business Mathematics teacher pity-smiles at me from behind her glasses and dives into a discussion about supply and demand. I continue to wonder what I should do with the snot on my palm. If I were sitting beside one of the guys at Burlington High, like I should be this year, the snot wouldn’t be an issue. I would wipe it on Cowboy, the least likely of the group to retaliate, and laugh. 

But what would a “lady” do? 

Here at Winston, boys feel as mythical and mysterious as unicorns. There’s no sign of them anywhere. No obnoxious belches. No stupid high- fives. No talk of monster hunting. It’s unsettling, like I’m walking among a race of polite aliens wearing plaid jumpers and lip gloss. 

How am I supposed to survive a year on another planet? 

[zilirobins]

Cover Reveal: Never Never

Never Never

by Brianna Shrum

Release Date: September 2015

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Synopsis: James Hook is a child who only wants to grow up.

When he meets Peter Pan, a boy who loves to pretend and is intent on never becoming a man, James decides he could try being a child—at least briefly. James joins Peter Pan on a holiday to Neverland, a place of adventure created by children’s dreams, but Neverland is not for the faint of heart. Soon James finds himself longing for home, determined that he is destined to be a man. But Peter refuses to take him back, leaving James trapped in a world just beyond the one he loves. A world where children are to never grow up.

But grow up he does.       

                      And thus begins the epic adventure of a Lost Boy and a Pirate.

This story isn’t about Peter Pan; it’s about the boy whose life he stole. It’s about a man in a world that hates men. It’s about the feared Captain James Hook and his passionate quest to kill the Pan, an impossible feat in a magical land where everyone loves Peter Pan.

Except one.

Add to Goodreads

Author Spotlight:

Brianna Shrum lives in Colorado with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband, two boys, and two big, floppy hound dogs. She thinks chai tea is proof of magic in the world, and loves all things kissy, magical, and strange. She'd totally love to connect with you. You can find her saying ridiculous things on Twitter @briannashrum

Follow Brianna on Twitter 

[zilirobins]

Cover Reveal: The Darkness Within

The Darkness Within

by Kelly Hashway

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Release Date: June 2, 2015

Formats: Paper, e-book

After dying of cancer at seventeen and being brought back to life by an evil witch who turned her into a monster, Samantha Thompson thinks she's finally gotten past all the tragedy in her life. Now she's part of a coven of good witches who are helping her and her boyfriend, Ethan Anderson, learn to use the powers they received from other witches. Aside from the fact that Sam and Ethan are still in hiding from their old lives--the ones they had before Sam was brought back to life--things couldn't be better. Sam and Ethan are inseparable. What could go wrong?

Magic.

Ethan's magic came from a witch who'd turned as evil as possible, and though his coven thought he'd be fine, the more he uses his magic, the stranger he starts acting. The magic inside him is changing who he is. One minute he's Sam's sweet, perfect Ethan and the next, he's a complete stranger. Even with all her witchy power, Sam is helpless against the magic corrupting Ethan. Can Sam find out what's wrong with him before she loses him to dark magic forever?

Author Spotlight:

Kelly Hashway grew up reading R.L. Stein’s Fear Street novels and writing stories of her own, so it was no surprise to her family when she majored in English and later obtained a masters degree in English Secondary Education from East Stroudsburg University. After teaching middle school language arts for seven years, Hashway went back to school and focused specifically on writing. She is now the author of three young adult series, one middle grade series, and several picture books. She also writes contemporary romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake. When she isn’t writing, Hashway works as a freelance editor for small presses as well as for her own list of clients. In her spare time, she enjoys running, traveling, and volunteering with the PTO. Hashway currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, daughter, and two pets.

Hashway is represented by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Website * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook

[zilirobins]

Damsel Distressed Tour & Review

Damsel Distressedby Kelsey Macke

Coming Oct 14th by Spencer Hill Contemporary Add to Goodreads

Hot girls get the fairy tales. No one cares about the stepsisters' story. Those girls don't get a sweet little ending; they get a lifetime of longing 

Imogen Keegen has never had a happily ever after–in fact, she doesn’t think they are possible. Ever since her mother’s death seven years ago, Imogen has pulled herself in and out of therapy, struggled with an “emotionally disturbed” special ed. label, and loathed her perma-plus-sized status.

When Imogen’s new stepsister, the evil and gorgeous Ella Cinder, moves in down the hall, Imogen begins losing grip on the pieces she’s been trying to hold together. The only things that gave her solace–the theatre, cheese fries, and her best friend, Grant–aren’t enough to save her from her pain this time.

While Imogen is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after the high school musical, the journal pages containing her darkest thoughts get put on display. Now, Imogen must resign herself to be crushed under the ever-increasing weight of her pain, or finally accept the starring role in her own life story.

And maybe even find herself a happily ever after.

Enhance the experience with the companion soundtrack, Imogen Unlocked, by the author's band, Wedding Day Rain.

Buy Links:

Amazon * B&N * The Book Depository * Kobo

Imogen Unlocked Track Listing:

1. Heavy

2. No Goodbye

3. Something About

4. Sinking

5. Don't Wake Me Up

6. Let Me Go

7. My Strength

8. Unseen

9. Always Speak Too Late

10. The End is Just the Beginning

11. Breathe Easy

12. Edge of the Fall

CD Blurb:

Damsel Distressed is the story of Imogen, a girl who's survived the years after her mother's death by focusing squarely on her best friend, Grant, musical theatre, and lots of cheese. The book is full of humor and heart, and also contains a few surprises. Full page sketches are scattered throughout the novel, and each one contains a QR code that corresponds to a song from the book's soundtrack. Imogen Unlocked is a 12-song album of original music written by the author and her husband Daron as their indie-pop band, Wedding Day Rain. Together, the book Damsel Distressed and the soundtrack Imogen Unlocked work together to tell the story of a girl who might just make her own Happily Ever After, if she can just hold herself together. 

Author Spotlight: 

Kelsey Macke has been creative for as long as she can remember. From an early age she was on stage singing, penning poetry, and writing notebooks full of songs. When the idea for her debut novel, DAMSEL DISTRESSED, popped into her head, she was undeterred by the fact that she had no idea how to actually write a novel. Her bff, the internet, was her guide, and after much trial, error, and candy, she finished it, and set out to get it published… a process far more difficult than, the internet (now her mortal enemy), had lead her to believe.

Her whirlwind adventure was made even more unbelievable when she signed with fabulous agent, Jessica Sinsheimer of the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency and, shortly after, Danielle Ellison of Spencer Hill Contemporary bought her debut.

This innovative, mixed-media art project has given Kelsey an incredibly unique opportunity to join two of her passions: writing and making music with her husband as half of the folky, indie-pop band Wedding Day Rain.

DAMSEL DISTRESSED, and the companion album of original songs, Imogen Unlocked, are scheduled for release in October 2014.

Website * Twitter * YouTube * Facebook * Goodreads * tumblrOfficial Damsel Distressed Website I received a copy from Spencer Hill (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review! What I Say: I'm a big fan of retelling fairy-tales but unless the author approaches these stories from a new angle they can become a bit predictable. Thankfully this isn't the case with Damsel Distressed as Kelsey Macke tackles the Cinderella narrative in a different manner. Now before you comment on how the evil-stepsister narrative isn't exactly a new approach, the manner in which Macke handles it is! MC Gen (Imogen) is trying to cope with her father being away, her overly happy stepmother always being around and her bratty, yet beautiful stepsister Ella Cinder moving in.  The story covers far more than your average retelling and focuses on some heavy topics. Gen is struggling and suffers from some pretty intense psychological problems. I loved Gen because she's actually really funny. Her POV is so well written that I could visualise her and felt really bad for situation. Damsel Distressed is really sad and complicated, but it's also hopeful and funny. Gen is the outsider - she's overweight and insecure. She's also really focused on her problems and remaining unhappy. 

The secondary characters were brilliant. Gen's friends made me smile and I liked how supportive and accepting they were. Gen's best friend Grant deserves a medal for demonstrating extreme patience. He's everything a teenage guy should be; sweet, supportive and non-judgemental. He also rocks some pretty awesome slogan shirts!

The book also comes with an interesting interactive element - In the eBook or online you can follow pictures and links to Kelsey Macke's band where you can access special content and songs designed to match Gen's story.

4 Stars in my Sky! Giveaway:

A giant prize pack for ONE winner, consisting of: Signed copy of Damsel Distressed. Copy of the CD, Imogen Unlocked. Posters and buttons. Artist cards!

(US Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[zilirobins]

Divinity Review

Divinityby Michelle L. Johnson

What they say: When Julia climbs into a flaming car to save a trapped child, she's left wondering why either of them survived. Then she learns that her father is the Archangel Gabriel, and that she is half human, half Archangel. With guidance from Michael, the most powerful Archangel, Julia sets out to discover her own history and explore her angelic powers. But her journey is cut short when an evil force, invisible to human and angel alike, tears her world apart. Now Julia must fight through her despair, harness her newfound gifts, and risk her very soul to stop the A'nwel and protect the family she never knew she had. What she doesn't know is that Archangels have secrets too. Add to Goodreads Coming September 23 by Spencer HillISBN13: 9781939392350 Author Spotlight: Michelle L. Johnson was born in Ohio and adopted by Canadians. They traveled all over North America, and when they weren't on the road Michelle could be found with her nose buried deeply in the pages of a book. With all of her travels and adventures, she hopes to bring some of her unique perspective to the pages and to entertain others the way all of her heroes have for her. When she's not hanging out with her feathered friends, she's busy being a literary agent with Inklings Literary Agency. She says wherever she hangs her coffee mug is her home, and right now that's a toasty warm Jacksonville, Florida with her happy Cocker Spaniel and her small family. I received a copy from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review! What I say: I decided to read Divinity because I liked the idea of a new take on angels, demons and heaven. I wanted to read a different type of angel story and Divinity is definitely different from most other angel based books out there.  MC Julia has a pretty traumatic history, which we slowly discover as the story unfolds. If Divinity were a YA story (it's not) then she'd without a doubt, be the misunderstood high school outsider. This is because she doesn't really seem to fit in with society. After miraculously surviving something which should have killed her, Julia learns of her angelic heritage. I liked Julia's boyfriend Alex, who seemed really sweet. But I didn't really understand certain events surrounding him and didn't always know what to think. The same goes for her friend Charlie who also had a pretty troubled life. I did like Isabel and felt really sorry for both her and Julia at times. I have seen some negative comments about the pacing of the story. There were times when it seemed a little off and where Julia seemed a little stiff. I think this was more down to her personality (she's closed off) rather than the writing. There are some pretty upsetting revelations about Julia's life. I kept hoping something good would happen and I wanted her to have a family and get a HEA. She did remain strong throughout the book and I appreciated how she seemed to take things in her stride - She's almost a little too calm at times. I did find Julia a little difficult on occasion because she's so closed off, but I could understand why, considering all the terrible things that have happened to her. An interest take on angels and their offspring. 3.5 Stars in my Sky!

[zilirobins]

Date With A Rockstar Cover Reveal

Date With a Rockstar

by Sarah Gagnon

Release Date: June 2015

Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary

Only one girl will win the cash prize...and a chance at love with Jeremy Bane.

Monet isn’t just another lust-struck teenager trying to win the heart of Rock God Jeremy Bane--she needs the prize money from his new reality show to cure her illness. 

Monet has Fluxem, a contagious disease that's spread through saliva. It's completely curable if you have enough money, which she and her single mother don't. Now that she's on the show, Monet has to work harder to keep her Fluxem hidden. She only has to keep the secret long enough to woo Jeremy Bane so he picks her as the winner. She doesn't even care about the love part; the prize alone will change her life.

But the real Jeremy Bane is nothing like she imagined. Monet finds herself fighting against feelings that make her want to give in to her attraction and Jeremy's attempts for a kiss. The further she goes in the competition, the more impossible it becomes to resist him--and when the producers turn the tables and start digging up dirt on the contestants, Monet fears her secret will be revealed before she's ready and ruin everything.

The only way to win Jeremy's heart is to tell him the truth, but confessing her disease could cost her the competition, the prize money, and him.

Add to Goodreads

Author Spotlight:

Sarah Gagnon grew up in the frigid woods of Maine amidst snow and animal skins. As a small child she wrote ship-wrecked romances all while being stared down by a taxidermied duck. She has a BFA in photography and a minor in writing from the University of Southern Maine. She's the mother of two tiny, feral children and two ill-behaved dogs. For fun she’s taken up kickboxing workouts and fancy cooking. She currently resides with her computer-genius husband in Delaware, the home of tax-free shopping.

Website * Twitter