Book Nerds Across America

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May I just say that I think I love Misty Provencher a little bit more each day?  Well, today I "double" love her!

She is revealing her next two books!!  That's right ........ TWO BOOKS!!! *applauds* *throws confetti*

Book 1:  Full of Grace.  This is a companion book to Hale Maree.  This makes me SO HAPPY!

According to  my Goodreads account I have read 205 books in 2012 and I needed to narrow down to my 12 favorite.  Well, it was VERY HARD, but I did it.  These are not in any particular order.

Book #1: Miss Me Not by Tiffany King
By far my most favorite book of Tiffany King!! This book is a page turning-tear-jerking masterpiece and I think EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!  Tiffany King has the talent to reach a variety of audiences and is an amazing person!  Her kindness and love for the character shines through every page and scenario.  In my opinion, I think that she she will be a household name in the next few years!

If you want to purchase Miss Me Not, you can here:
Miss Me Not

Book #2: The Wild Ones by M. Leighton
PICK Trick!!  Always Pick Trick!! Although I love a lot of M. Leighton's work this one stands out to me the most!! She knows how to make this city girl want a cowboy!!  I loved this book from the moment Trick graced the page!!  If you have not read this (and remember this is more of an adult book) then you need to read it!

If you want to purchase it you can here:The Wild Ones

Book #3: Don't Panic by Lindsay Paige
Lindsay Paige!  This young lady has so so so so much talent!! I cannot wait to see what else she will bring to us in the future!  I loved this book so much! Lindsay Paige brought a serious topic to these pages and turned into an amazing story of trust, love and humanity all in one!!  Like I said before, PURE TALENT!!!

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone!  It is a great read!!

You can purchase it here: Don't Panic

Book 4: The Reluctant King by Rachel Higginson
I will never grow tired of saying on how much I love Rachel Higginson!!  Time and time again she shows her talent through each page of her stories!!  She has created the greatest characters in the Star-Crossed Series and I will ALWAYS READ THEM!!

I am looking forward to see what she will bring in 2013, because I know that she will not disappoint me or her fans!! Though I still think I am her number 1 fan!! HAHA!

If you want to purchase The Reluctant King you can here:The Reluctant King (The Star-Crossed Series, Book 5)

If you have not read this series, you can get Reckless Magic (Book 1) for free here:Reckless Magic (The Star-Crossed Series, Book 1)

Book 5: Ten Tiny Breaths by KA Tucker
I was just introduced to KA Tucker a few months ago and her book made a HUGE impact in my Book Nerd Life!!  I could NOT put this book down!! I was mesmerized by the characters, story line and everything about this book that it forever be one of my favorites!  KA Tucker is an extremely talented author and I cannot wait to see what else she has rolling around in her head!!

If you have not read this book PLEASE PLEASE READ IT!!  It will not disappoint!

You can purchase it here: Ten Tiny Breaths

Book 6: Delta Project: Hide by Jessica Jaster
Talk about a debut author!! Jessica Jaster comes out of the gates swinging!!  This book was fantastic!! I am not even sure where to begin to tell you how great it is! Jessica Jaster has serious talent and I am counting down the days until Book 2!!

This is a great book and a quick read!  I know that once you start it, you will not put it down!

You can purchase it here:Delta Project: Hide

Book 7: Hale Maree by Misty Provencher
Oh, Misty, I just love you!  I have read everything that Misty has published, however this is my favorite! She brought me ... I mean, us ... an outstanding love story that I could not put down.  I loved every page of this book and I can only hope that there will be more of this story in Misty's future.

Haven't read it.........purchase it here: Hale Maree

Book 8: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
I would have never heard of this book if Kathryn from TSK TSK What To Read had not been pimping it so hard on Facebook (pun intended).  I am not sure how I have survived my Book Nerd Life without Braden Carmichael!  Hot, yummy Scotsman! LOVE this story and just read it again this past weekend!!  Just a great story all around!

Need to purchase the book?  You can here:On Dublin Street

Book 9: Wicked Fate by Tabatha Vargo
What can I say about Tabatha Vargo that I have not said a thousand times before?  She is amazing, talent and a great person!  Her debut novel, Wicked Fate, will knock you down.  It is such a great story and I know that book 2 will be just as good, if not better.  Tabatha Vargo is working on some great projects for 2013 and I can't wait.

If you haven't read Wicked Fate, then purchase it here:Wicked Fate (The Wicked Trilogy)

Book 10: Perchance by Lila Felix
*shakes head* Lila, Lila, Lila, where have you been all  my Book Nerd Life?!?!?!?!  Lila Felix is a 2012 debut author and already has 3 books published.  One, she is a writing machine.  Two, her fan demand more from her the moment we put the book down.  Perchance is my favorite of the novels she has published in 2012.  I cannot wait to see what is in store for 2013.  I know that she will not disappoint!

Perchance (amazing LOVE STORY) can be purchased here:Perchance

Book 11: Beyond The Veil by Quinn Loftis
Quinn is the Luna of all books! The Grey Wolf Series has quickly become my most favorite series.  Even though, Quinn has become the LUNA of cliffhangers.  It never fails that I am cussing at the end of one of her books because she has ripped out my Book Nerd heart and I am wanting more!  that is true talent there!  I know that 2013 will bring book 6 of the Grey Wolf series.  Along with that she is writing a new series called Elfin (also great!)

But in all seriousness, I need to THANK QUINN for bringing Decebel in my life!!

If you want to read Beyond the Veil you can here:Beyond the Veil, Book 5 The Grey Wolves Series

If you have not read this series you can get Prince of Wolves (Book 1) FOR FREE here:Prince of Wolves (The Grey Wolves Series)

For Quinn's new series: Elfin, you can purchase it here:Elfin

Book 12: Empty Net by Toni Aleo
If you know anything about from following me on Facebook or Twitter you know that I have a love for sports, especially HOCKEY!!  I am a Chicago Blackhawks fan through and through! Toni Aleo knows how to write a hockey book and series!  I will let it go that she is a Nashville Predators fan since she has given me 3 new fictional boyfriends!! Empty Net is my favorite of her series and I love Tate SO MUCH!!

If you have not read this .. you MUST!! Even if you don't like hockey this is still a great read.  Please remember that it is an adult book

You can purchase it here:Empty Net (Assassins)

MAY 2013 BRING US A WHOLE NEW LOVE OF BOOKS, FICTIONAL BOYFRIENDS AND GREAT MEMORIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Goodreads description:


CATEGORY: NEW ADULT, may not be suitable for young adult readers
GENRE: DARK FANTASY

My will to survive is the first thing to drown.
I know, because I hold it under myself.

After facing severe tragedy in life, Madeline assumes her death will be easy.
But the angels do not come to take her to Heaven.
Instead, what retrieves her is something she never expected: a gargoyle.

Delivered to Truce, the King of the Gargoyles, Madeline now has choices she never wanted. She has the ability to take over the entire Gargoyle Kingdom, if she is willing to kill the king. However, looking to prevent takeover, Truce transforms Madeline, thereby granting her the ability to achieve the thing she wants most—death—if she can just find the human recipient for the Gargoyle Gift that she now has to give. It should be easy.

But lives, whether they are lived or not, are seldom simple, and Madeline’s past still stands in her way. Now, only a voyeur in the life of The Boy with the Golden Rod Voice, Madeline’s must reconcile her own life and death, if she ever hopes to have free reign of her soul.

MARY'S REVIEW

I love Misty.  I really do, however I was a little unsure about this book.  I was unsure because I usually don't read dark fantasy books.  But, its Misty and I knew that she was not going to disappoint me.

So, let me explain how I felt about this book:       good......ok....huh?....confused.....more confusion.......oh, I understand.......WHAT!?.....OMG!!!......ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!?!

That is most simplest way I know how to sum it up!!

Best part of the book:  As always, I am going to be honest here.  The best part of the book was the ending.  Let me explain!! Misty wrote a great story but through out the book there were a lot of questions that were not getting answered.  Once we learned more of Madeline's story (which was so sad), began to understand Truce a bit more and figure out if death is really the right answer for Madeline, the story got much better!!

Not so great of the book: Like I said before it was a little bit confusing at parts BUT just stick with it because Misty pulls it altogether and the ENDING IS GREAT!!!

Misty just proved that she can do it all with this book!!

Oh, that Misty Provencher!?!?! She is an amazing and wonderful author! I was so happy to be part of this Blog Tour! My review of Hale Maree is here; however, on this section of the blog tour I will interview Sher, Hale's best friend.  At the end of the interview there will be links for the GIVEAWAYS.

So, let us begin:

Sher,

(squeals)  This is going to be SO MUCH FUN!!  Thank you for having me here, Mary, I am SO EXCITED!  What do you want to know?  I’ll tell you everything!  I have to babysit for my mom tonight, though, so I only have a couple of hours to talk and then I can always come back if you want.  I’m totally free.  Ok, so what would you like to know?  (squeals again) I’m an open book!

*How did you and Hale meet?

In ninth grade, I moved here and we rode the bus together.  Or, more like, we huddled in the front seat and tried not to be noticed together.  We’re both book worms and both from single-parent homes, so we hit it off pretty quick!  I can also braid hair really good (that comes from having, like, 100 little sisters) and I used to braid Hale’s hair a different way every day for her.  She never knew how to do it.  Probably because her mom was a deadbeat and ran off on her and her dad.  We tried once to fix up Hale’s dad and my mom, but that didn’t work out so good.  My mom totally would’ve met him, she’ll meet anybody- I mean, look at how many of us there are- (giggles)  but Hale’s dad didn’t want to.  He passed out the night they were supposed to get together for the first time and...(pauses, blushes) am I talking too much?

*What was your first thought when Hale told you the arrangement between her and Oscar?

I thought, “Girl, you really might marry a guy named OCKER?” LOL   Right there, I thought she lost it, but then I got to talk to him and he was really nice.  I’m into voices, you know?  And he had this really awesome, movie-star kind of voice, all deep and hello...I guess you just have to imagine me saying that because (laughs) you can’t hear me on paper (nervous laugh) obviously...I mean, he just sounded really mature and cute...not cute, he’s totally not what I’d call cute.  Because when I met him, I almost swallowed my gum.  He’s more like (lowers voice again) handsome, you know?  I was kind of embarrassed that we were calling him Ocker (giggles) but he’s really nice and funny and he didn’t care.

*What would you do if you were in that situation?

With Ocker?  (blushes, giggles wildly)  Are you serious?  If I found an Ocker, I’d marry him the second he asked.  I’d marry him before he asked.  I’d drag him down to court office and marry him at the desk.  Oscar’s totally handsome, he’s got a ton of money and you know what?  He’s really in love with Hale.  I’d love to find a guy that was totally in love with me.
*What do you think of Oscar?  You mean, besides how he looks?  I think he’s awesome!  He’s totally into Hale!  I want Hale to have like a hundred little Ocklets, so I can be their aunt!  I would totally spoil them, but Hale’s all femi-nazi about kids.  She wants to (does her responsible voice, while stretching her facial skin downward with her fingertips) have a job and make her own money and not rely on any man to get her anything.  (Lets go of her face)  But between you and me, I think she should totally pop out as many little Ocklets as Oscar wants.  Ocker’s loaded and Hale doesn’t have to work, so I don’t get why she wants to so bad.  Oscar doesn’t seem stingy with his cash at all, so I think she should enjoy it!  

*Since we don’t know a lot about you: tell us a little bit about yourself (the real you)?

(giggles hysterically)  I don’t know...I mean, I’m just me.  I’m Hale’s best friend.  I have three brothers and a little sister, I read a ton, and I’m super good in math.  I should have braces, but we don’t have the money.  I wish I could meet a guy like Oscar too.  I’d be totally fine with getting knocked up and shooting out as many love puppies as he wanted.  Handsome, rich, and nice?  I’d stay in for keeps.  I really would. 

*Do you have any goals to go to college or just work?

I want to go to college.  We’ll see.  I just graduated and my counselor said there are some scholarships I could get, but I’ll have to take out a bunch of student loans and I don’t know how to do all that.  I don’t know how I’d even get to college, since I don’t have a car and the buses are such a huge pain.  My mom said she’d try to get me a job waitressing at the pub she works in on the weekends, so that might be some good money.  My mom could probably use the extra money and quit one of her jobs, but I feel really guilty about that because I don’t really want to go to work and give my mom everything I make.  I don’t want to be stuck like my mom is, but I don’t think I can just ditch my family either.  (nervous, half-hearted laugh) I’ll probably never get out of here.  

*We all know that Misty is so busy, but do you think she will continue Hale and Oscar’s story or possibly do a story about you?

Me?  I’m just Hale’s friend.  (giggles)  But I’d love a story all about me!  Oh my God, I could totally tell you all about the time that I was babysitting and my little brother pushed half an egg salad sandwich up his nose!  Or when my other brother got a hamster from school and named the thing Clyde, but it ended up having like six little hamlets in the bottom of the cage!  Oh!  But then, we lost Clydette for about a week and we thought she was dead in the heating vent or something, but she showed up in our kitchen cupboard.  She was fine.  I have a million stories and I’d love somebody to write them down!  
Thanks for having Sher over to the blog, Mary.

Thank you Sher for being awesome and letting me interview you!!

Now for the GIVEAWAYS:


a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sorry, I am late posting this Misty!! 

Everyone know how much I love Misty! She is an incredible author!

Her latest book is Mercy, which is set to be released December 8th, 2012.

What to know what the book is about?  Here you go:


My will to survive is the first thing to drown.
I know, because I hold it under myself.

After facing severe tragedy in life, Madeline assumes her death will be easy.
But the angels do not come to take her to Heaven.
Instead, what retrieves her is something she never expected: a gargoyle.

Delivered to Truce, the King of the Gargoyles, Madeline now has choices she never wanted.  She has the ability to take over the entire Gargoyle Kingdom, if she is willing to kill the king.  However, looking to prevent takeover, Truce transforms Madeline, thereby granting her the ability to achieve the thing she wants most—death—if she can just find the human recipient for the Gargoyle Gift that she now has to give.  It should be easy.

But lives, whether they are lived or not, are seldom simple, and Madeline’s past still stands in her way. Now, only a voyeur in the life of The Boy with the Golden Rod Voice, Madeline’s must reconcile her own life and death, if she ever hopes to have free reign of her soul.

Now, for the big reveal.  Here is the cover of Mercy:

Goodreads description: 


GENRE: ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE 
Please be advised that this book is NOT suitable for Young Adult readers due to language and explicit sexual situations. 

Hale Simmons dreams of climbing out of her impoverished life, going to college, and getting herself a titanium crash helmet, so she can eventually bust through the Plexiglas ceiling of her crappy life. But for now, she’s just a 18-year-old girl with a flimsy hope, barely getting by with her alcoholic father, Jerry.
But for Hale, ‘crappy’ suddenly takes a nosedive, when Jerry becomes the sole witness to a horrible accident. It is an event which means to effect everyone, especially Hale, who wasn’t even involved.
While the depth of the accident has just begun to unfold, Otto Maree, a prominent business man and old family friend, stands to lose everything because of it. Otto is desperate for Hale’s father to stay quiet about what occurred the night the two men met for a drink. Out of mutual moments of desperation, the two fathers forge a deal. Jerry is desperate to gain financial stability for both himself and Hale, and Otto Maree is more than willing to pay to keep his secret just that. 
But deals like this need to be made of the strongest vows and bound with the most faithful of loyalties. Otto proposes a marriage between Hale and his playboy-son, Oscar, in order to assure that the secret remains ‘in the family’. The mystery surrounding the accident continues to grow and Hale struggles against her own mysterious feelings that begin to develop for Oscar, who turns out to less of a playboy, but just as fiercely loyal and dedicated as his father. 
As the pressure around her continues to escalate, Hale realizes that she’s got to decide if this arranged marriage is really just a big mistake or an amazing twist of fate that has been waiting around for this particular accident to happen.

Mary's Review:

I love Misty! She has quickly become one of my favorite authors and a dear friend!  When I learned that she was writing this book, I jumped up and down.  Why?! Well, for one this is a different story for Misty.  Two, it sounds interesting.  Three, I love the COVER!! haha!

Best part of book:  Hale and Oscar are the best characters! Hale, 18, young with an alcoholic father and is just trying to get by.  Then her whole life is turned upside down when her dad comes home with some guy he knows and proclaims that she is getting married.  *shakes head* WHAT!??!?!?!  This is 2012 not 1712! I think (in fact I know) I would have reacted just like Hale did!! Enter: Oscar!  (Hello, new fictional boyfriend)  Oscar was not what I was expecting.  From the book description you see "play-boy" and Oscar is so much more.  (Man, Misty knows how to make a girl swoon).  The thing I love most about him is that he truly cares about Hale's feelings in this situation that they are in.  I love every part of this book.

Not so great about book:  I wish there was an epilogue or maybe a little bit longer ending.  I would have like to see the lives of Oscar and Hale after everything happened to them,  Maybe Misty has some more stories in that pretty head of hers and will release more ..... maybe I could bribe her with cookies (hhhhmmmm)

You can purchase it here--->>>Hale Maree


Personal note to Misty Provencher:

 Dear Misty,

I love your style of writing and the stories in your head.  I think you are a fantastic person both inside and out!  Thank you for including me in your acknowledgement page! You are a special person and I love you for it!!  I cannot wait to read more from you and will always be here to help if need be!!

Love Book Nerd Mary!

Oh, I just love Misty Provencher! I truly do! She is an amazing author of Cornerstone and Keystone and she is releasing a new adult romance novel: Hale Maree.

Want to know what the book is about? Well, here you go:


Hale Simmons dreams of climbing out of her impoverished life, going to college, and getting herself a titanium crash helmet, so she can eventually bust through the Plexiglas ceiling of her crappy life.  But for now, she’s just a 17-year-old girl with a flimsy hope, barely getting by with her alcoholic father, Jerry.
But for Hale, ‘crappy’ suddenly takes a nosedive, when Jerry becomes the sole witness to a horrible accident.  It is an event which means to effect everyone, especially Hale, who wasn’t even involved.
            While the depth of the accident has just begun to unfold, Otto Maree, a prominent business man and old family friend, stands to lose everything because of it.  Otto is desperate for Hale’s father to stay quiet about what occurred the night the two men met for a drink.  Out of mutual moments of desperation, the two fathers forge a deal.  Jerry is desperate to gain financial stability for both himself and Hale, and Otto Maree is more than willing to pay to keep his secret just that.
            But deals like this need to be made of the strongest vows and bound with the most faithful of loyalties.  Otto proposes a marriage between Hale and his playboy-son, Oscar, in order to assure that the secret remains ‘in the family’.  The mystery surrounding the accident continues to grow and Hale struggles against her own mysterious feelings that begin to develop for Oscar, who turns out to less of a playboy, but just as fiercely loyal and dedicated as his father.  
As the pressures around her continues to escalate, Hale realizes that she’s got to decide if this arranged marriage is really just a big mistake or an amazing twist of fate, that has been waiting around for this particular accident to happen.

Now, after that I know you want to see the cover!!! So, here you go:

Oh how I love Misty! She is extremely talented and an outstanding person.  So, when she emailed with the new covers of Cornerstone and Keystone I could not tell you how excited I was.

It was hard but I was able to snag an incredible interview with the one and only Sean Reese.  I was so thankful that Misty was able to pass on my questions to him!! And because she was so kind to do that for me I am going to giveaway Misty's Book.  It will be an Amazon eBook for the Kindle.  Winner can choose if they want Conerstone or Keystone.  All you have to do is comment on the interview and I will choose a winner on Sept. 13th.

Without further ado: Misty introducing Sean Reese


I adore you, Mary!  Thank you for inviting Sean to stop in for Q&A…it was hard to get much out of him, but then, when he talks Ianua and his family, I couldn’t get him to shut up!  You asked the perfect questions!  Thanks again for having us over.  Sean especially loved your blog name and joked that he finally felt right at home among the bloggers!

Sean’s Interview

1. What is the most important thing to you?  (person, possession, etc)?  Family, all the way.  I’d like to say I can’t imagine what I’d do if I lost even one of them, but unfortunately, I’ve been put in the position of learning exactly what I’d do.  I’m beyond honored that the Ianua accepted me in a leadership capacity, especially since I am one of the Simple.  

2. When did you realize that you were an Addo? Did you (or do you now) feel any different?   I never received an invitational sign to the Ianua community, so I haven’t had the opportunity to feel what it is like to be chosen in that way for the Addoship.  However, nothing beats Addo Larry slapping you on the shoulder and saying, “So, what do you think?  Addoship?  Yes? No?  Think of it this way: you don’t have to worry about screwing anything up.  I’ve already covered that.”
As far as feeling any different, becoming a Mox (which is an Addo in training, for those of you who might not be familiar with the Ianua) is just like getting a top-level job in management.  I’m a little overwhelmed with the opportunity, but completely grateful too.  I’m putting in a lot of hours training with the Addo on how to handle a Cura, how to interpret and manage the information that comes in, and how to partner with the Veritas.  Most of what I feel lately has to do with not getting enough sleep!

3. How excited are you about your Addo training?  What is the one thing you are looking forward to?
Being that I’m the only Reese brother that didn’t receive the sign of the Ianua, I’m floored that I’m able to have this opportunity to help.  I’ve studied everything I could get my hands on about the Ianua but now, I’m get the back stage pass to the BIG secrets.  Things that only the Addo knows.  I plan on using every shred of this education to help further the Ianua and keep the human race running on the right track.

4. Since we have not heard a lot about your past, what is your fondest memory with your family?
We’re a close bunch, so there are a lot of good memories.  Probably one of the best was the time we all went out to play soccer together.  It was my 18th birthday and I hadn’t received the sign, so we all knew I was Simple.  It was especially hard to take because my brothers were all showing signs of athletic abilities that pointed to the likelihood of them becoming Contego and I felt like I was an outsider in my own family.
My dad packed us all up and took us out to the soccer field.  We had a picnic and my cake and we played soccer, of course.  The Contego abilities put everyone else at an advantage - always did - but that day, I was on my game.  I kept scoring goals and making passes and then, I figured out what was going on.  There was a minute where I was really angry with them, thinking they were letting me win, because I was the Simple outsider that needed their pity, but then I realized what they were really doing.  They were letting me win because they are my family and they wanted me to know I was included.  None of us mentioned that the games were obviously rigged that day, but I had this incredible epiphany concerning personal perspective and the depth of family bonds and what it means to actually be part of something bigger than myself.  I’ll never forget it.

5. Be honest, is Garrett always so serious or does he relax every once in a while?  You think Garrett is serious?  THAT’s hysterical!  I suppose no one’s told you about how he likes to sporadically hide grapes in my shoes?  He’s got this thing he does- let me tell you how it all started.  I was taking one of my first psych classes and there was this study on lab rats concerning inconsistent gratification.  The scientists gave the rat a lever to push, and whenever he pushed it, he’d get a food pellet.  The rat learned to push the lever whenever he was hungry.  Then the scientists gave the rat a lever that never delivered pellets when he pushed it.  The rat stopped pushing the lever altogether, even when the food became visibly available.   Then the scientists gave the rat a lever that sometimes delivered food and sometimes didn’t, whenever the lever was pushed.  The inconsistent reward didn’t stop the rat from pushing the lever, but instead created an obsession for the rat.  Even after the food was long gone, the rat wouldn’t stop pressing the lever.  He wouldn’t eat from his food dish either, he was so obsessed with pushing the lever.  So, after hearing this study, Garrett decided to conduct his own experiment.  He throws a couple grapes in my shoes every once in a while as an inconsistent stimulus to drive me nuts.  He got me too.  I started shaking out my shoes before I put them on, but then he’d stop with the grapes for a few months, until I stopped shaking them out.  Then he’d start up again.  That was years ago, but to this day, I usually give my shoes a little shake or tip them over.  But it’s all good.  I save the grapes and throw them in his pillowcase.

6. Do you think that Misty will be writing any book(s) about your adventures from your Point-Of-View?   Misty?  I’m kind of in love with that girl, but I don’t know that I’d want to bore her with my views.  Usually, everything I talk about comes out like a text book chapter or a lab study.  I can’t imagine anyone wanting to read that, but if she wanted to write some dry, scientific discussion, I’d be up for it.  Maybe I can help her kick out a thesis or something like that!