Book Spotlight: Between Now and Never by Laura Johnston

Blog Tour Schedule

Today we're joining the BETWEEN NOW AND NEVER blog tour. Take a look at Laura Johnston's book and be sure to read the excerpt at the end of the post. There's also a cool prize you could win!

Between Now and Never by Laura Johnston

Buh boom, buh boom.

My heart thrusts with a force that takes me by surprise. Telling me something I don’t understand. A splitting pain, a longing to slip back under. They tell me I was in a hit-and-run, but I can’t remember what happened that night. All I know is that I woke up with pictures in my pocket, a card from one of those photo booths in the mall. And I’m in the pictures. Cody Rush. Me and…

Julianna.

Her brother was there that night, and my dad, the FBI agent, was the one who put her mom behind bars. What’s the connection? And why won’t Julianna talk to me now? Somehow, she holds the key to it all, and getting close–real close—to her for the answers I need will be no hardship at all…

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

Praise for Between Now & Never
“A romance that will keep teens turning pages.” ~ Janette Rallison

"This was a lot different than I was expecting and I was honestly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. The cover led me to believe this would be a cute, love story but it was a suspenseful and gripping read." ~ Review from Goodreads

“Best book I read all year! On the edge of your seat suspense, heartwarming romance, and characters to cheer for—Between Now and Never is one you won’t want to miss.” ~Kelly Nelson, author of The Keeper’s Saga

"I had the privilege to read BETWEEN NOW AND NEVER when it was in manuscript form. I loved loved loved it from page one! Laura Johnson is such a talented author -- really looking forward to reading more of her work!" ~Kay Lynn Mangum, author of The Secret Journal of Brett Colton



Author Laura Johnston

Laura Johnston lives in Utah with her husband and two children. Growing up with five siblings, a few horses, peach trees, beehives and gardens, she developed an active imagination and always loved a good story. She fell in love with the young adult genre both through her experience in high school as well as her job later as a high school teacher. Laura enjoys running, playing tennis, sewing, traveling, writing, and above all, spending time with her husband and kids.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

Excerpt

Dinner Conversation Gone Wrong

CODY

“So, Julianna . . .” I say at the dinner table forty-five minutes later, “the girl who tutors me—”

“She’s purty,” Lizzy says with a mouth full of mashed potatoes. “Can I have some chocolate milk, Mom?”

“You’ve got a tutor?” Dad asks, his forehead gathering up over a confused stare. “Since when do you need a tutor?”

“He needs help in art, honey,” Mom cuts in with a light whack on his arm. “There’s no shame in that. Rachel, take out your earbuds.”

Rachel doesn’t hear. It’s almost six o’clock and Julianna still hasn’t woken up. She’s been asleep upstairs for over an hour and a half. I’ve checked on her several times, wondering if I should wake her. Each time I chicken out.

“Ryan, say something,” Mom whispers, her eyes shifting between Dad and Rachel.

“Rachel. Earbuds. Out,” Dad orders.

Rachel’s eyes snap up to meet his gaze and she yanks the earbuds out.

“Anyway,” I say, “she’s sleeping in my bed.”

Now all eyes are on me.

There’s a real possibility Julianna might walk down any minute, so I figured it was best to get this out in the open. It was either this or wake her up and sneak her out. Now, with everyone staring at me and Lizzy’s mashed-potato-covered mouth hanging open, I wonder if that wasn’t the better option.

Dad drops his silverware and directs a firm hand toward me to emphasize whatever point he’s about to make. “Son, I know we’ve discussed the importance of using protection, but I figured it went without saying that bringing a girl into our home—into your bedroom!—is out of the question.”

“Ryan!” Mom snaps. “Lizzy, cover your ears. Cody, save it for marriage.”

This is the first dinner conversation Rachel has been interested in for months. She snorts back a laugh.

“It’s not like that,” I say, hardly able to hold back a laugh myself as I realize I should have phrased this better.

Dad’s lips form a stern line. “This is not a laughing matter, Cody.”

“She fell asleep in the living room, okay? While I was working on my art project.”

“Your art put someone to sleep?” Rachel says. “What a surprise.”

“Rachel, cut it out,” Dad barks.

Mom simply looks grateful to have Rachel participating at the dinner table.

“How did she end up in your bed?” Mom asks.

Lizzy’s wide eyes ping-pong from Mom to me.

“I carried her.”

“And she didn’t wake up?” Rachel asks.

“She was pretty out of it,” I say. “I think she isn’t feeling good. Had a fever.”

Mom looks at the clock. “Won’t her parents be worried?”

“They—” I say and pause. “Aren’t home.”

A muscle in Dad’s jaw flinches. He picks up his fork and knife and starts cutting into his meat again. An awkward silence with no end in sight falls over the table.

“Can I have my chocolate milk now?” Lizzy asks. I’m not sure how I figured this conversation would go, but this certainly wasn’t it.

Blog Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/26/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code 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.

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Book Feature PLUS Excerpt: Seeking Sorrow by Zen DiPietro

Hello and happy Monday, everyone! Notice the new look of the blog? What do you think? I have to confess, I'm such a nut about digital scrap book kits. I practically fall in love with everything I see. Crazy, right? Yeah, well, I'm a writer; what do you expect?

Today we're featuring SEEKING SORROW by Zen DiPietro, the first in the Guardians of Terath series. Here's the blurb:

Seeking Sorrow
by Zen DiPietro

An earth-like world of high-tech humans faces the reality that their world is not as safe as they thought it was. Five people are thrown together to quietly get to the bottom of an unfathomable mana event that must stay quiet. If the population of Terath becomes aware of the truth, it will spark a civil war. That war would pit the majority of the population against the powerful minority with the ability to harness and manipulate mana. The resulting cataclysm would decimate the population and tear apart the foundation of society.

The five people chosen for this must reconsider everything they thought they knew about mana, even as they learn to trust one another’s abilities. They must embrace everything they never wanted in order to prevent the devastation of their world. One of them will be forever changed. Love will be denied, badassery will be unleashed, and Terath will never be the same.

Even success comes at a price.

Excerpt

Being an avid admirer of art, albeit a total failure at creating it, Will was pleased to spend his morning perusing the offerings. Examining the artwork in the gallery hall relieved his mind momentarily of the burdens he carried. He was admiring a particularly intriguing sculpture of a nude male holding a ladder when the back of his neck prickled. He sensed someone standing directly behind him, and he immediately felt uncomfortable and alert. He focused on the sculpture and sidestepped around the display, under the guise of examining the art from another perspective. He adjusted his stance to allow him to see the newcomer in his peripheral vision.

Fine, light blue hair grazed the woman’s jawline in a blunt bob. The unusual shade was surprisingly well-suited to her whiskey-colored eyes and lightly tanned complexion. She was a good bit shorter than he was, and in her mid-twenties, he estimated. She wore a long, casual dress that did not shy away from the curves underneath. His appraisal skidded to a stop when he noticed her wide mouth curving into an even wider smile. Like his own, her gaze remained on the artwork, but she nonetheless had realized that he was studying her. And she apparently found it amusing.

He straightened and began to move toward another art display.

“You don’t like it?” the woman questioned.

He really didn’t want to talk to her but didn’t want to be rude. Will re-oriented himself back toward her and the art. “I do. The lines are fluid but convey a great deal of energy. I have to wonder about his plan for the ladder.”

Her enthusiastic nod sent her hair swinging gently. “Yes, energy. Male energy. This piece has definite appeal for anyone who enjoys nudes of men, as you do.”

He nodded politely, then froze when he considered the potential subtext of her words. He didn’t care for the familiarity she’d assumed.

He looked straight into her eyes for the first time, and her smile grew wide again. As he struggled for a proper response, she chuckled.

“Never mind. It’s nice to meet you, Will Azrith. I’m Izzy Gin, your reader for this adventure.”

Zen DiPietro is a lifelong bookworm, a fantasy/sci-fi writer, a dancer, and a mom of two. Also red-haired, left-handed, and a vegetarian geek. Absolutely terrible at conforming. Particular loves include badass heroines, Star Trek, British accents, baba ganoush, and the smell of Band-Aids. Writing reviews, author interviews, and fun stuff at www.womenofbadassery.com. Very active on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

T4T: The Dragonrider Chronicles by Nicole Conway

Hello and welcome to this week’s Two for Thursday Book Blitz #T4T
presented by Month9books/Tantrum Books!

Today, we will be showcasing two titles that may tickle your fancy,
and we’ll share what readers have to say about these titles!

You just might find your next read!

This week, #T4T presents to you:

Fledgling (The Dragonrider Chronicles, #1) by Nicole Conway
and
Avian (The Dragonrider Chronicles, #2) by Nicole Conway

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Can one boy stand between two kingdoms at war? 

Jaevid Broadfeather has grown up as a wartime refugee, hiding from the world because of his mixed racial heritage. He feels his future is hopeless, until a chance encounter with a wild dragon lands him in Blybrig Academy—a place usually forbidden to anyone but the rich and royal. But Jaevid’s case is special; no dragon has voluntarily chosen a rider in decades, so the proud riders of Blybrig must begrudgingly let him join their brotherhood despite his bloodline. Lieutenant Sile Derrick, a sternly tempered man with a mysterious past, becomes his instructor and immediately takes a peculiar interest in Jaevid’s future. 

While struggling through the rigorous physical demands of training, things begin to go awry. Jaevid witnesses the king’s private guards kidnapping Sile in the dead of night. 

When none of the elder riders are willing to help him, Jaevid begins a dangerous adventure to save his instructor. 

Everything Jaevid learned at the academy will now be put to the ultimate test.

Available for Purchase:

What Readers are Saying:

“The author has taken the dragon concept putting her own unique spin and creating a captivating new series that sparks the imagination.” – Mandy, The Reading Diaries

Nicole Conway does a fantastic job creating her world and describing it in a way that the images fill my head while reading.” – Cassandra – Lost in Books

“It was a nice, fast read and I'm really hoping that we learn more about the Grey Elves, the war and the Dragons in future books because this series has the potential to be really great.” – Natalie – Book Lovers Life

What kind of power is lurking inside him? After a year of training to become a dragonrider, Jaevid Broadfeather has been sent home to rest during a three-month interlude. But when he returns to find the king drake has chosen Beckah Derrick as his new rider, Jaevid realizes something big is about to happen. Every fiber of his being is pushed to the breaking point as Jaevid battles through his avian year, preparing for the final graduation test of the battle scenario. But there is more standing in his way than a few pushups and fancy sword moves. Jaevid must face a new fear as he is tormented by a gruesome nightmare of a mysterious gray elf warrior murdering the royal family of Maldobar. It seems obvious to him that this is some kind of message about how the war started long ago—until Felix assures him the king is very much alive. With his strange powers growing stronger by the day, and that violent dream replaying in his mind every night, Jaevid no longer wonders if he will pass his avian year or not—he wonders if he will even survive it. The truth will soon be set loose.

Available for Purchase:

What Readers are Saying:

“I highly recommend this series to fans of Eragon and Lord of the Rings because those movies jump to mind a lot when I’m reading this series.” – Cassandra – Lost in Books

“This was a very exciting book two that kept me turning the pages as fast as I could to see what would happen next.” – Jasmyn – Bitten by Romance

“This is a sequel of pure perfection!” – Nay – Nay’s Pink Bookshelf

Nicole is the author of the children’s fantasy series, THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES, about a young boy’s journey into manhood as he trains to become a dragonrider. She has completed the first two books in the series, and is now working on the third and final book.

Originally from a small town in North Alabama, Nicole moves frequently due to her husband’s career as a pilot for the United States Air Force. She received a B.A. in English with a concentration in Classics from Auburn University, and will soon attend graduate school.

She has previously worked as a freelance and graphic artist for promotional companies, but has now embraced writing as a full-time occupation.

Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves watching children’s movies and collecting books. She lives at home with her husband, two cats, and dog.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook

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YA Scavenger Hunt: Spring 2015!!!

Hello Everyone! I'm so happy to introduce to you the Spring 2015 YA Scavenger Hunt Authors! We have eight outstanding teams this season. I am going to be a part of #TeamGreen and Dorothy will be a part of #TeamBlue!

The Scavenger Hunt runs from April 2nd through April 5th beginning and ending at noon Pacific time on those days. If you've never been a part of the hunt before you should give it a try. It runs like a giant blog hop, introducing you to new YA authors and books along the way. There are tons of prizes including a grand prize for each team. If you win one of the grand prizes you will get a book from each author on that team! 

For more information and to make sure you get hunt updates, sign up for news on the #YASH website. You don't want to miss out on this fabulous and fun event, but play fast because the hunt is only live for three days. And now, here are the teams! 

(Hint: If you click on the image you can get a close up)

 

I hope you are all as excited as I am!

THE HUNT BEGINS 4/2/15!

Victim Souls Tour: Interview with Andrew Terech

Today we're joining the Victim Souls blog tour by chatting with author Andrew Terech. Grab a cuppa and sit back while we get to know Andrew and his book.

Andrew’s a horror fiction writer who is also a massive fan of the genre. He’s been writing short stories and working on his novel for over 5 years. He has several short stories published, as well as some editing credits. He moderates a writing workshop in Phoenix, AZ where he’s been exposed to many different forms of fiction, which have broadened his influences. He aims to write stories that creep out his readers, while offering well-developed, rich characters they can sink their teeth into. He’s also a fan of experimenting with form and structure to create something uniquely my own.

Andrew grew up on Long Island in New York, and has lived in Arizona for the past 7 years. His professional background is in psychology where he’s carved out a nice career for himself. However, writing has always been his passion.

Currently, he’s hard at work, developing additional content to publish. He hopes to find an audience that loves the genre, and is up for a good scare.

Hi, Andrew, and welcome to We Do Write. Tell our readers a bit about VICTIM SOULS.

VICTIM SOULS is a novel I wrote based on a concept. I wanted to write something that pitted the “bad guys” against evil. Additionally, the intent was for the style to impose an unrelenting tension and discomfort on the reader. From there, I drafted up distinct characters, threw them into a dynamic environment and let the story tell itself. As a whole, VICTIM SOULS is a wild ride of action and horror that is intended to leave the readers on the edges of their seats.

Cool! How did the idea of the story come to you?

The idea developed organically. I did a lot of research on Aleister Crowley and Demonology to help set up the framework and rules of the supernatural world I created. Most of the plot was planned out as I wrote. The focus of the writing process was more on the concept than the plot. That being said, the plot came together smoothly despite the lack of planning.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Definitely a panster. Most of my writing comes from a conceptual model with well thought-out characters. I like to create an environment, mood and tone then stick the characters in the scene and let the writing decide what’s going to happen. There are times where future plot points come to me as I’m writing, so I’ll jot them down for future reference. I probably use about a third of those ideas and scrap rest. I’ve tried to outline thing, and my writing came off as stilted and forced. I’m just not that kind of writer.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Getting the pictures in my brain on the page. Describing scenery and setting in a satisfying way often drives me nuts. I pine over choosing the perfect words. I struggle with efficiency. I don’t want to bore the reader with a 300-word description of a room, but I also don’t want to cheat them out of an effectively written atmosphere. I much prefer writing dialogue and action.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Depends on the time of day. Morning and early afternoon: a cup of coffee. Evening and night: a beer. I also like to keep a few writing resources at my side such as research material or my Thinker’s Thesaurus.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I’m going to cheat on this one a little. I’d choose immortality, but with a three rules that foil the whole monkey’s paw, be careful what you wish for traps. Rule 1: I’m still human. Rule 2: No aging past 30. Rule 3: I can choose to end my own life at any point. Not like I’ve put a lot of thought into this before or anything.

Hehehe, very clever. What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

I was listening to a podcast and the were talking about something called a “blue waffle”. That’s about all I need to say about that. I would suggest that if you’re reading this, don’t fall into the same curiosity trap that I did.

Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...

Working my ass off!

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

First, I’ll thank my lovely wife, Laura. Without your encouragement and support my writing career would still be just a dream. I’d like to thank the Central Phoenix Writing Workshop for helping me grow as writer. Specifically, David Nicol, Chris Wilke and Cam Milkins. Thank you to Brianna Strawn for the amazing cover. Thank you to Sean Ellis for your guidance and advice as I set forth on this journey. Lastly, thank you to We Do Write for this interview and for the great promotion.

You're very welcome. Thanks for stopping by the blog!


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Meet Julie Reece, Author of The Artisans

Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!

This week, we are spotlighting Julie Reece, author of

The Artisans

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Get to Know Julie Reece in 10 Questions or Less!

Twitter or Facebook? -Both

Favorite Superhero? –One hero to rule them all: Thor

Favorite TV show? -Sherlock (British)

Sweet or Salty? -Ice cream is a food group.

Coke or Pepsi? -Tea (I’m a rebel)

Any Phobias? –Sharks and, ew, spiders … oh and drowning.

Song you can’t get enough of right now? –Caroline (or anything) by Kill It Kid *dies*

Who is your ultimate Book Boyfriend? ‘Weaver’ from May Webb’s, Precious Bane *swoons*

What are you reading right now or what's on your TBR? -Saving Francesca , by Melina Marchetta

Fall Movie you’re most looking forward to? –OMG! Crimson Peak and Mad Max:Fury Road

Born in Ohio, I lived next to my grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all.

I struggled with multiple learning disabilities, did not excel in school. I spent much of my time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) I fought dyslexia for my right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and I won.

Afterwards, I read like a fiend. I invented stories where I could be the princess… or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Later, I moved to Florida where I continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (my mother called it lying) and sharing them with my friends.

Then I thought I’d write one down…

Hooked, I’ve been writing ever since. I write historical, contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances. I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a really hot guy. My writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle. Don’t give up. I say, if you write, write on!

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

They say death can be beautiful. But after the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old RAVEN WEATHERSBY gives up her dream of becoming a fashion designer, barely surviving life in the South Carolina lowlands. 

To make ends meet, Raven works after school as a seamstress creating stunning works of fashion that often rival the great names of the day. 

Instead of making things easier on the high school senior, her stepdad’s drinking leads to a run in with the highly reclusive heir to the Maddox family fortune, Gideon Maddox. 

But Raven’s stepdad’s drying out and in no condition to attend the meeting with Maddox. So Raven volunteers to take his place and offers to repay the debt in order to keep the only father she’s ever known out of jail, or worse. 

Gideon Maddox agrees, outlining an outrageous demand: Raven must live in his home for a year while she designs for Maddox Industries’ clothing line, signing over her creative rights. 

Her handsome young captor is arrogant and infuriating to the nth degree, and Raven can’t imagine working for him, let alone sharing the same space for more than five minutes. 

But nothing is ever as it seems. Is Gideon Maddox the monster the world believes him to be? And can he stand to let the young seamstress see him as he really is? 

The Artisans is a delectably rich, layered and dark YA Southern Gothic inspired by Jeanne Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s classic Beauty and the Beast. 

“The Artisans has all the elements I love – spooky intrigue, strong friendships, and a romantic tension to be savored.” ~ Wendy Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of the Sweet Evil trilogy. 

Title: The Artisans
Publication date: May 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Julie Reece

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