Book Blast: Nature of Grace by SR Johannes @srjohannes

Nature of Grace Boxed Set by S.R. Johannes

The NATURE OF GRACE books have hit many of the top young adult/teen and thriller best seller lists including: Best Debut, Movers and Shakers, Top 100 in Thrillers, and the Top 100 in Teen Action Adventure books.

This new "Nature of Grace" Exclusive Box set is for readers who love wilderness thrillers. 16 year old Grace grew up in the woods determined to make a difference in the North Carolina wilderness. When she comes across conservation threats, she uses her survival and wilderness skills to stop them, no matter what the cost. In addition to being a thriller/mystery - other book themes include conservation, nature, animals, survival, wilderness, endangered animals.

The box set includes all 3 boxes in the Nature of Grace (Untraceable, Uncontrollable, and Unstoppable). It also includes an exclusive short story, Unspeakable from Mo's perspective) as well as the original Untraceable before it was changed.

The box set also includes a large section of Special Extras that include interviews with the author, characters, and additional information on the nature and animal conservation the books support.

Untraceable (Book 1) - When Grace's forest ranger dad disappears on patrol, she fights town authorities, tribal officials, & nature to prove he’s alive. Torn between a hot boy and cute ex, she heads into the wilderness to find her dad. Soon, she is caught in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder.

Uncontrollable (Book 2) - When Grace enters the Red Wolf Reintroduction Program. When wolves start showing up dead, Grace must work through her fears and hunt down clues to find out who is sabotaging the wolf program and why. Little does she know, she is being hunting too.

Unstoppable (Book 3) - When Grace moves to the Everglades to live with her grandmother, Birdie, she makes new friends with Dylan and his girlfriend, fellow animal activist, Sadie. After finding an injured Florida Panther, she stumbles upon a large roadside zoo illegally filled with a variety of endangered and exotic animals. There, she and her friends are kidnapped by the ruthless owner and dragged deep into the Everglades for a hunting challenge. Only this time, Grace is the prey.

Unspeakable (Short Story from Mo's perspective) - When Mo sees a strange girl in the woods, he follows her. He soon realizes they are both in a dangerous position and may not get out alive.
Untraceable's Original Ending - Never released before!

Exclusive Extras - including author interviews, character interviews, insider scoop on the series, and additional animal and nature conservation information on the issues covered in the series.

Sale!! From now until August 16 the complete box set is only $0.99.

Amazon

Praise for the books:

"A Modern Day Katniss" -Reel Life with Jane

"A suspense-filled mystery with surprises that keep you guessing all the way to the end."- IndieReader

Kirkus Reviews called this teen series "a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance"!


Author S. R. Johannes

S.R. Johannes is the award-winning author of the Amazon bestselling Nature of Grace thriller series (Untraceable, Uncontrollable, and Unstoppable). She is a winner of the IndieReader Discovery Award in YA, an IPPY a Silver Medalist for YA Fiction, a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review's Best Young Adult Fiction, and a Finalist in US Book News Best YA Book.
Since leaving Corporate America, she has followed her passion for writing and conservation by working with The Dolphin Project, the Atlanta Zoo, other animal rescue organizations, and by weaving conservation themes into her books.

Currently, she lives in Atlanta, GA with her two Doodles, English-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Newsletter

$100 Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon eGift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 8/31/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com eGift Card or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Review: Unstoppable by SR Johannes

UNSTOPPABLE
by SR Johannes

After everything that has happened, Grace moves to the Everglades to live with her grandmother, Birdee, and hang out with old man Rex, Birdee's "friend with benefits". Grace quickly befriends Dylan, Rex's nephew, and Dylan's girlfriend, Sadie, who is a die-hard teen activist. Sadie spends her time leading protests against the roadside zoos that run rampant in Florida with a total disregard for animals or the flimsy law.

One day while out in the marshes of the Everglades, Grace and her friends rescue an abused—and endangered—Florida panther. She and Birdee spend time rehabilitating the animal. But when the panther runs off, Grace follows it to Uncle Bob's, a large roadside zoo they all have been protesting. One that is illegally filled with a variety of endangered and exotic animals. Before she can rescue the panther, she and her friends are kidnapped by the ruthless owner and dragged deep into the Everglades for a hunting challenge.

Only this time, Grace is the prey.

During a sick game of cat and mouse, Grace and her friends are offered one chance at survival, but only if they reach civilization before being caught. With a small head start and very little supplies, only time and skill stand between the hunter and the hunted. But out in the Everglades, there may be more dangers than Grace realizes.

Against all odds, Grace must make it out alive and win, or everything she holds dear could be lost.

Ligers and gators and snares, oh my!
My review of Unstoppable

SR Johannes knows exactly how to get your blood pumping while reading her books. In this third installment of the Nature of Grace series, I found myself gasping IN PUBLIC at some of her scenes. The book is that thrilling. Johannes has mastered the suspense factor, and all along showing her readers the importance of fighting for animal rights. Readers will root for Grace, bite their nails because of a liger, hold their breaths when faced with aligators, and shed a tear for a little monkey. And let's not forget the humans. All around well-written three-dimensional characters.

I really enjoyed reading this series, and I recommend it to fans of young adult thrillers, and of course to animal lovers everywhere.

Unstoppable Summer Blog Tour: Guest Post by SR Johannes

Today we're joining the UNSTOPPABLE summer blog tour by chatting with author SR Johannes. She's here today to talk about strong girls in teen fiction.

The Rise of Powerful Female Characters in Teen Fiction

by SR Johannes

What defines strength in girls’ teen fiction?

In the past, I think strong girl characters had to be “crop top, leather, big weapon, and tattoos.”

Today, teen characters show more strength than they did a few years ago. With the success of Divergent and Hunger Games, tough girls are becoming more of the norm in publishing. This is a good thing, but we (as readers) are much harder on characters now then we used to be.

The problem is that if you create a heroine just like a hero, then she may seem unrealistic or "unfeminine." On the flip side, you don't want to use stereotypes, either, because those don't make for a genuine character and turn the reader off.

So, there are many qualities that make a girl tough and strong, beyond physical attributes. Yet keep her believable and relatable.

Strong external qualities

• Physically tough – able to get through physical hardships
• Self-sufficient
• Some special skill
• Makes something happen
• They don’t need to be rescued

Strong internal qualities

• Do the right thing
• Have a goal/motivations
• Sense of morality
• Show integrity
• Honest with herself (even if it doesn’t show to others)
• Motivations besides boys and romance
• Takes care of others
• Dependable and loyal, sometimes to a fault
• Can get out of a bind intellectually

The most memorable female MCs feel real fear, love, pain. They do this without whining and rolling over. That they can hold their own without being immortal. “They have weaknesses but they work hard to overcome them. They have strengths but they may question them. There’s a big difference between flawed girls that are real and girls who are stereotypical and poorly written. If we don’t relate to them, their skills, losses, pain, triumphs won’t feel real.

When writing for teen girls, I think it is critical for young adult authors show strong, flawed girls that readers can relate to and think to themselves, “Maybe I can do that too.”

To me, tough girls need to find a place in teen fiction. Characters that embody the independence, loyalty, and toughness as well as flaws – that I think we should encourage and celebrate in all girls.

UNSTOPPABLE

After everything that has happened, Grace moves to the Everglades to live with her grandmother, Birdee, and hang out with old man Rex, Birdee's "friend with benefits". Grace quickly befriends Dylan, Rex's nephew, and Dylan's girlfriend, Sadie, who is a die-hard teen activist. Sadie spends her time leading protests against the roadside zoos that run rampant in Florida with a total disregard for animals or the flimsy law.

One day while out in the marshes of the Everglades, Grace and her friends rescue an abused—and endangered—Florida panther. She and Birdee spend time rehabilitating the animal. But when the panther runs off, Grace follows it to Uncle Bob's, a large roadside zoo they all have been protesting. One that is illegally filled with a variety of endangered and exotic animals. Before she can rescue the panther, she and her friends are kidnapped by the ruthless owner and dragged deep into the Everglades for a hunting challenge.

Only this time, Grace is the prey.

During a sick game of cat and mouse, Grace and her friends are offered one chance at survival, but only if they reach civilization before being caught. With a small head start and very little supplies, only time and skill stand between the hunter and the hunted. But out in the Everglades, there may be more dangers than Grace realizes.

Against all odds, Grace must make it out alive and win, or everything she holds dear could be lost.

Happy Book Birthday: Unstoppable by SR Johannes

Hooray! Unstoppable is out today!

Unstoppable is the third book in "The Nature of Grace" series. The series has won and been nominated for several awards including: winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult), a Silver medalist (2nd place) in the IPPY awards (YA Fiction). She was also nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (Young Adult category), a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review’s Best Young Adult of 2012, and a YA Finalist in the US Book News Best Book of 2012. 

Kirkus reviewed Untraceable as "A thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance.  The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page."

If you like a page turner, you will love this series!

Unstoppable - Book 3 Summary

After everything that has happened, Grace moves to the Everglades to live with her grandmother, Birdee, and hang out with old man Rex, Birdee's "friend with benefits". Grace quickly befriends Dylan, Rex's nephew, and Dylan's girlfriend, Sadie, who is a die-hard teen activist. Sadie spends her time leading protests against the roadside zoos that run rampant in Florida with a total disregard for animals or the flimsy law.


One day while out in the marshes of the Everglades, Grace and her friends rescue an abused—and endangered—Florida panther. She and Birdee spend time rehabilitating the animal. But when the panther runs off, Grace follows it to Uncle Bob's, a large roadside zoo they all have been protesting. One that is illegally filled with a variety of endangered and exotic animals. Before she can rescue the panther, she and her friends are kidnapped by the ruthless owner and dragged deep into the Everglades for a hunting challenge. 


Only this time, Grace is the prey. 


During a sick game of cat and mouse, Grace and her friends are offered one chance at survival, but only if they reach civilization before being caught. With a small head start and very little supplies, only time and skill stand between the hunter and the hunted. But out in the Everglades, there may be more dangers than Grace realizes.


Against all odds, Grace must make it out alive and win, or everything she holds dear could be lost.

On Sale Now! 

Unstoppable is on sale in ebook. The paperback releases later this month. 


(Note: if you have another ereader device - see these instructions for getting a Kindle ebook converted to your ereader. It's easier than you think.)

If you haven't read Untraceable or Uncontrollable, you can get them in paperback and ebook at all major booksellers including Amazon, Apple, Smashwords, and B&N.

Happy Book Birthday: Choke by S.R. Johannes

Today marks the launch of CHOKE, the second book in the BREATHLESS novelette series by SR Johannes. First let's take a look at the first book in the series, SUFFOCATE.

Suffocate #1 in The Breathless Novelette series

Suffocate is the first novelette in THE BREATHLESS series. It is a 15,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres.
For centuries, the world outside the Biome has been unlivable. Today, marks the first time anyone will attempt to leave the suffocating ecosphere. Eria is not worried because her scientist father has successfully tested the new Bio-Suit many times. 

It's a celebratory day until something goes horribly wrong. In the midst of tragedy, Eria uncovers a deep conspiracy in her perfect bubble. If those responsible find out what she knows, they won't stop hunting her until she takes her last breath.

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

And now, the exciting sequel, CHOKE.

Choke, #2 in The Breathless Novelette series

When Eria escapes her home in the Biome, she uncovers more about her features and specifications as a HumaNot. Following her father's instructions, Eria embarks on a journey into a dangerous and unpredictable world.

Along the way, she encounters a young rebel, Dirk, who explains he's from the Anarchy, an underground human resistance rising up against the BOTs--advanced man-made robots gone wild. Together, Dirk and Eria battle underground serpents, desert dingos, sand storms, and advanced Bots that are always hot on their trail. As they become closer, Dirk reveals his hatred of machines, forcing Eria to hide the secret of what and who she really is.

When the truth of her identity comes out, Eria is forced to become the very thing she hates the most.

Goodreads
Amazon

The two novelettes will be available on ebook only for only 99 cents! The 3rd novelette in the series, Exhale, is scheduled for Nov/Dec 2013 just in time for the holidays.

If you loved Wool, Never Ending Sky, Mila, or Across the Universe, you will enjoy this mini-series.

Guest Post: SR Johannes - Writing Sequels

Writing Sequels

Guest Post by SR Johannes

Sequels are hard to write. Authors stress out about them. Are they as good as the first? Will the readers like it?

Sequels don’t get the blank slate in a reader the way the first book does so the reader comes into the second book with expectations and high hopes.

There are a few things to keep in mind when you are writing a sequel:

1. Readers remember everything so be thorough.
2. Make sure you keep your facts and small details straight.
3. Weave in important elements from the first book to get the reader back up to speed but not in an obvious info. dump.
4. Allow your character to grow from book to book or your readers will feel cheated.
5. Introduce new characters and relationships, but be sure to keep threads from the other books to remind the reader.
6. Trust your readers.
7. Raise the stakes for your character.
8. The story must stand on it’s own, separate of a series.
9. Sub plots can be seeds for another.
10. Create an overarching plot that connects the books together.

Be sure to check out Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable by SR Johannes. Leave a comment and win the ebook!

Happy Launch Day: Uncontrollable

Yay! Uncontrollable is out today!

Uncontrollable is the second book in "The Nature of Grace" series by S.R. Johannes. Untraceable, the first book in the series, has won and been nominated for several awards including Winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Award (YA), 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (YA Nominee), and a finalist in The Kindle Book Review's "Best Indie Book of 2012 (YA)".

Kirkus reviewed Untraceable as "A thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance.  The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page."

If you like a page turner, you will love this series!

Head over to Mundie Moms for a Big Uncontrollable Launch Party with tons of prizes and then over to SR Johannes blog for even more.

To continue on with the blog tour, check out the line up! Where SR talks about anything from marketing to writing to her books to personal interviews and giveaways.

Book Summary

As 16-year-old Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program". 

While she’s excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is picking silk plants and growing fake plants. 

After a couple of wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. However, when a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues. 

Little does she know, she is being hunted too. 

On Sale Now! 

Uncontrollable is on sale in paperback and ebook at all major booksellers including Amazon, iBooks/Apple (coming soon),  Smashwords, and B&N. If you haven't read Untraceable, you can get it in paperback and ebook at all major booksellers including Amazon, Apple, Smashwords, and B&N.

Author Bio

S.R. Johannes is the author of award-winning and Amazon bestselling Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and new tween paranormal, On The Bright Side. She has also published short novelettes as well as a teen romance anthology with 16 other authors titled, In His Eyes.  Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable, is scheduled for September 2012.

S.R. Johannes is a winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult) and was also recently nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (Young Adult). Untraceable was also recently named a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review's Indie Book of the Year (YA)

After earning an MBA and working in corporate America, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing.  She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world. 


Connect!

Follow S.R. online on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest

You can also sign up for her newsletter to keep up on author or book news.

Cover Reveal: Uncontrollable by SR Johannes

UNCONTROLLABLE, Book 2 in The Nature of Grace series by S.R. Johannes, is set for release on Sept 24th. I'm happy to be part of the cover reveal. So without further ado, here is the fab cover of UNCONTROLLABLE.

Isn't it gorgeous? I think it's eye-catching and ties in wonderfully with the cover of UNTRACEABLE, book one in the series. 


Here's a little more about this book:


As Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program". 

While she’s excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is picking silk plants and growing fake plants. 

After a couple of wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. However, when a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues. 

Little does she know, she is being hunted too. 

And possibly, by more than one person.


Check out S.R. Johannes's blog here to keep up with her writing.

New Release: SUFFOCATE by S.R. Johannes

It is May 21st and guess what that means?

S.R. Johannes’ Suffocate is out today!

Suffocate is the first novelette in THE BREATHLESS series. It is a 15,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres.

Here’s a little about the novelette…

“For centuries, the world outside the Biome has been unlivable. Today, marks the first time anyone will attempt to leave the suffocating ecosphere. Eria is not worried because her scientist father has successfully tested the new Bio-Suit many times. It's a celebratory day until something goes horribly wrong. In the midst of tragedy, Eria uncovers a deep conspiracy that affects the very air she breathes. 

If those responsible find out what she knows, they won't stop hunting her until she takes her last breath.”

The 2nd novella in the series, CHOKE, is scheduled for Fall 2012. The 3rd, EXHALE, is scheduled for Winter 2013.

You can purchase Suffocate for only 99 cents at
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Suffocate-The-Breathless-Novelette-ebook/dp/B008450Q70/ref=la_B006CBEBAQ_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1337350161&sr=1-4
B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/suffocate-sr-johannes/1110921228?ean=2940014429108

Also you can add it on Goodreads! - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13648347-suffocate

And in case you were wondering here is a bit about the author –

S.R. Johannes is author of the Amazon Bestseller Untraceable and a current nominee of the Georgia Author of the Year in the Young Adult category. After earning an MBA and working in corporate america, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She lives in Atlanta Georgia with her goldendoodle Charley (notice he is listed first :), her British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.  You can find her hanging out online and visit her at srjohannes.com

Twitter- https://twitter.com/#!/srjohannes
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/srjohannes
Pinterest- http://pinterest.com/srjohannes/
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5235537.S_R_Johannes

Tweet about it!
“Today is the release of @srjohannes’  novelette, Suffocate! Check it out on we-do-write.blogspot.com”

On the Bright Side: Review

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE tells the story of Gabby, a young teen who's been hopelessly in love with a boy named Michael since they were in kindergarten. After an accidental death-by-texting, Gabby enters Cirrus, the place most people think of as Heaven. Gabby soon discovers that she is a Bright-in-Training and can only earn her wings once she carries out guardian angel duties. What she doesn't count on is the human she's assigned to being her number one enemy (and former best friend) Angela. What's more, Gabby not only has to endure watching Angela flirt with and date  Michael, but she's actually expected to HELP Angela in her efforts. What's a BiT to do?

I really enjoyed this story, and I especially adored S.R. Johannes's clever, tongue-in-cheek world-building language. The witty names for certain people and items and places in Cirrus had me chuckling with every page. Gabby proved to be the type of spunky character you want to shake and ask what she's thinking while at the same time rooting for her to succeed. I recommend this book to teens of all ages.

Available from Amazon here

Available from Barnes and Noble here

PRAISE FOR ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

 "S.R. Johannes delivers a cute paranormal thrill ride for middle graders! Even in death there is a BRIGHT SIDE!" - Addison Moore, author of the bestselling Celestra series and soon to be TV show
 
“Full of charm and adventure, this heart-warming story is about deadly crushes, friendship, and spunky girls in the after-life. This book is flipping adorable!” -Robin Mellom, author of Ditched: A Love Story and The Classroom (June 2012)

"Clever and charming, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is the story of a reluctant guardian angel, her still-breathing crush, and the frenemy she’s assigned to protect. A great read!" -Suzanne Young, author of A Need So Beautiful, A Want So Wicket (6/12), and The Program (2013)

“ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is both hilarious and heart-warming – a tale that’ll have you hoping that there really *are* spunky and determined angels like Gabby who’ve got our backs.” - Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, author of Selling Hope & The 13th Sign (2013) (Feiwel & Friends)

"With a smart, snappy heroine and a heart-warming crush, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is a page-turning new take on guardian angels that left me begging for a sequel!" - Gretchen McNeil, author of Possess and Ten (9/12) (Balzar + Bray)

S.R. Johannes is the author of Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and On The Bright Side ( a tween paranormal). She lives in Atlanta Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world. After earning an MBA and working in corporate america, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing.