Kyra Lennon's Sidelined Blog Tour / Bookworm News / Wattpad Wednesdays: Reborn Chapter 5 / Smashwords July Sale

Hello, friends of Cherie! Thanks to Cherie for letting me swing by for the Sidelined blog tour!

Today I am here to answer the question Cherie posed for me: - “I love how sports are featured in your Game On series books. What made you decide to include football (aka soccer) in the books? Did you used to play the sport?”

When I first came up with the idea for Game On, I needed a profession for my leading male, Radeigh McCoy, that was in the public eye. He needed to be someone everyone knew, someone who was used to getting what he wanted, and someone who had a lot to lose if one of his mistakes was ever discovered. I felt like the movie star thing has been overdone (some will probably say that soccer stars have, too lol!) so I decided to go with a sports star. I am not the biggest sports fan in the world – not gonna lie. The only sport I have any knowledge of is football (soccer, for my American friends!). I love the game, I know how it’s played, and because the entire US soccer league in the story is my own creation, I have the freedom to make up anything I’m unsure of. :D

As for playing football. Not so much. I definitely don’t play anymore, but when I was at school, I played occasionally. I was a kickass goal keeper, and one time I almost broke my fingers saving a goal lol! I was inexperienced – I had NO clue how freaking hard footballs are when they’re flying through the air at you, and I wasn’t trained in punching footballs to keep them out of the goal. That experience explained why PROPER goalkeepers wear gloves!

Blurb: At the age of twenty-one, Bree Collinson has more than she ever dreamed of. A handsome husband, a fancy house, and more shoes than Carrie Bradshaw and Imelda Marcos combined. But having everything handed to her isn’t the way Bree wants to live the rest of her life. When an idea to better herself pops into her head, she doesn’t expect her husband to question her, and keep her tied by her apron strings to the kitchen.

Isolated and unsure who to turn to, Bree finds herself falling back into a dangerous friendship, and developing feelings for the only person who really listens to her. Torn between her loyalty to her husband and her attraction to a man who has the perfect family she always wanted, she has some tough choices to make.

While Bree tries to figure out what she wants, a tragedy rocks the Westberg Warriors, triggering some dark memories, and pushing her to take a look at what’s really important.

Buy Links: Amazon UK/ Amazon US/ Nook /iBookstore

About the Author:

Kyra is a self-confessed book-a-holic, and has been since she first learned to read. When she's not reading, you'll usually find her hanging out in coffee shops with her trusty laptop and/or her friends, or girling it up at the nearest shopping mall.

Kyra grew up on the South Coast of England and refuses to move away from the seaside which provides massive inspiration for her novels. Her debut novel, Game On (New Adult Contemporary Romance), was released in July 2012, and she scored her first Amazon Top 20 listing with her New Adult novella, If I Let You Go.

Find Kyra online: Website/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Goodreads/Join MyMailing List

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BOOKS READ

The Trouble with Flying by Rachel Morgan

Minstrel's Serenade by Aubrie Dionne

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs
One Kick by Chelsea Cain

BOOKS REVIEWED

The Trouble with Flying by Rachel Morgan

Sarah's worst nightmare, a cute stranger who wants to talk to her, is about to sit beside her on a long flight from England to South Africa in Rachel Morgan's The Trouble with Flying. Oh my goodness, I loved this book. Sarah is so adorably awkward and shy, and I could easily relate to her. Aiden is hot and weird in his own way. I anxiously awaited to see how these two could possibly meet each other again after their flight. Set against the exotic backdrop of South Africa, this story is an endearing read. I laughed, cringed at Sarah's awkwardness because I totally got it, and teared up at the book's sweetness. I really want to try Zoo Biscuits now too. If you're looking for a clean, new adult romance, then look no further. I was completely engrossed in the story and couldn't get to the next screen page on my Kindle fast enough to know what happened next. The Trouble with Flying by Rachel Morgan is one of my favorite reads this year!

Minstrel's Serenade by Aubrie Dionne

Danika Rubystone must choose between her duty and her heart in Aubrie Dionne's Minstrel's Serenade. The fast-paced action keeps the reader on edge. This fantasy romance novel has rich world-building set against amazing settings, many fraught with danger. Danika is a strong character, although her bouts of wishywashyness made me not always like her. My favorite characters were Bron, Chief of Arms of Ebonvale, and Nip, a child who'd survived a wyvern attack. The wyverns are a worthy foe for the people of this land. The House of Song was a magical place, and I would love to live there, although some quiet every once in a while would be nice too. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of the land and the people, so Ebonvale and the House of Songs' quest would've been a touch more powerful. Overall, Minstrel's Serenade by Aubrie Dionne is a beautiful fantasy novel with smoldering romance at its core.

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson

Waxillium brought justice to the Roughs, but can he do the same for the city in Brandon Sanderson's The Alloy of Law? Set over three hundreds years after the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial has modernized with its horseless carriages and the invention of electricity. Sanderson introduces the idea of twinborns, those with an Allomancy skill and a Feruchemy skill. I love the Wild West meets Victorian England feel to this novel. Lord Waxillium, his friend and partner Wayne, and the intelligent Lady Marasi are characters anyone could root for. The enemy in the Vanishers is very real, their threats immediate. The story hooked me from page one and didn't want to let me go even at the end. I found this story also to be faster paced than the previous Mistborn books, and I do hope there will be more of Wax, Wayne, and Marasi in the future. If you enjoyed the Mistborn trilogy, then you'll love The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson.

Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs

A criminal from the past taunts Temperance Brennan and brings the crime scene too close to home in Kathy Reichs's Bones Never Lie. As a fan of Reichs's work and a watcher of Bones, I'm ashamed to admit it has been a few years since I've read a Temperance Brennan novel, so when I had the opportunity to read an early review copy, I jumped at the chance. This book does not disappoint. I love how this case involved an earlier case (the one from Reichs's Monday Mourning), which I had previously read and recommend reading before Bones Never Lie. Reichs does a fantastic job at filtering in backstory to keep the reader updated on the relevant events that'd gone before. The characters come to life in the action-packed story. I was hooked from the very start! Although I figured out the murderer earlier on, I enjoyed reading to see if I was right. Reichs' writing is immediate and well paced. I highly recommend this book. You'll want to hold on and don't forget to breathe while reading Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs.

One Kick by Chelsea Cain

Kick Lannigan delves into the past to save a child missing in Chelsea Cain's One Kick. As a fan of Cain's Gretchen Lowell/Archie Sheridan series, I was excited to hear of her new series. Kick is damaged goods after being kidnapped as a young child, but she has an inner strength that's easy to admire. She never wants to be the victim again. The mystery of Bishop intrigues me. I never quite knew whether or not to trust him. This novel keeps a reader guessing and is not as gritty as Cain's other series. The story twisted my stomach in knots as Cain delves into kidnapping and child pornography and the victims it leaves behind. I rooted for the criminals to be caught. One Kick by Chelsea Cain is a gripping must read. And I recommend not starting this one until you have a few hours to finish the book because once you start, you won't want to stop. I'm looking forward to the next Kick Lannigan book!

COVER REVEALS

I love Jenn's cover, but then again, I'm usually sold when there is purple.

Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian by Jenn Nixon

SciFi-Fantasy

From Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing

July 10 2014

www.facebook.com/JennNixonAuthor

@jennnixon

www.jennnixon.com

BOOKS RELEASED

The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier

Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian by Jenn Nixon

Conversion by Katherine Howe

The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

Go Away Home by Carol Bodensteiner

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie

Tales of the Hidden World by Simon R. Green

Desolation Angels by James Axler

Supreme Justice by Max Allan Collins

The Last Town by Blake Crouch

A Test of Loyalty by Jack Lewis Baillot

The Wolf by Lorenzo Carcaterra

Don’t Talk to Strangers by Amanda Kyle Williams

Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Stolarz

Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith

Games Divas Play by Angela Burt-Murray

Elemental Release by Elana Johnson

Uriel’s Fall by Loralie Hall
Heart and Soul by Lee Strauss
Effigy by M.J. Fifield
Salem's Vengeance by Aaron Galvin

Second Daughter by Susan Kaye Quinn

Today's the third Wednesday of the month, so it's time to put up another chapter of Reborn on Wattpad. You can click here to start at the beginning or click here for Chapter Five.

Smashwords is having its annual Summer/Winter sale. You can purchase Reborn, Gravity: The Complete Trilogy, and The Nightmare Collection for 50% off their retail prices with coupon code SSW50. The sale ends July 31st.

Book Chat: Cover Reveal and Recent Releases

 

There's been a lot going on in the book world lately, it seems. So today, I have a cover reveal and some book releases to mention.

The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller is forthcoming from Entangled Teen on May 7, 2013. I just love the cover art for it! You can add the book on Goodreads here.

On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.

Leah Rae Miller

Born and raised in northern Louisiana, Leah Rae Miller still lives there on a windy hill with her husband and kids. She loves comic books, lava lamps, fuzzy socks, and Cherry Coke. She spends most of her days reading things she likes and writing things she hopes other people will like.

Follow Leah on Twitter and her blog. 

Talli Roland has a new book out called The Pollyanna Plan. You can add it on your Goodreads list here.
 

Is finding true love as easy as an attitude change?

Thirty-something Emma Beckett has always looked down on 'the glass is half full' optimists, believing it's better to be realistic than delusional. But when she loses her high-powered job and fiancé in the same week, even Emma has difficulty keeping calm and carrying on.

With her world spinning out of control and bolstered by a challenge from her best friend, Emma makes a radical decision. For the next year, she'll behave like Pollyanna: attempting to always see the upside, no matter how dire the situation.

Can adopting a positive attitude give Emma the courage to build a new life, or is finding the good in everything a very bad idea?

Make Believe by J.A. Belfield, Jennifer M. Eaton, J. Keller Ford, Terri Rochenski, Lynda R. Young, and Kelly Said is now available from J. Taylor Publishing. This was such a great short story collection, and you can read my review here. Add to Goodreads here.

Sacrificial Oath by Terri Rochenski
An impetuous act unwittingly makes Alesuela the fulfillment of the Sovereign’s Blood Oath to their Goddess. In five days, she’ll be forced to make the greatest choice of her life: become the virginal sacrifice already promised, or force the man she loves most to die in her place.

With an impossible choice in front of her, she searches for ways to undo the oath, and in her quest, finds not everything in her life is as she expects.The Amulet of Ormisez by J. Keller Ford
There is only one way to save Elton Fletcher’s brother from an insanity-ridden death.

After years away from home, fighting for his people, Elton returns to discover his only sibling, Cayden, possessed by greed and malice, and responsible for malicious, unthinkable deeds. Cayden, though, isn’t the only one afflicted by the Amulet of Ormisez, and Elton finds himself in yet another battle, where the price of failure could be his own life.Birthright by Lynda R. Young
Christa can mask the pain and hide the scars, but running from a birthright is impossible.

She’s tried to escape her grief by fleeing to a small town in Florida. Much to her frustration, the locals think they recognize her even though she's never been there before. To make things worse, a man named Jack spouts outrageous theories about her.

Both spur Christa to bolt, to start fresh yet again, but there’s something about Jack that intrigues her enough to stay. The only problem? Someone else wants her to leave, and they won’t stop until she’s dead.Petrified by Kelly Said
A mysterious storm has replaced summer with winter, devastating crops and smothering Castle lands in snow. Prince Sterling August stands alone as a leader, lost in personal grief as well as a desire to help his people but with an inability to do either.

The answers he needs await him, but without Lochlyn, a woman who’s just as isolated as Sterling, he’ll never see what stands before him, cloaked in illusion.Last Winter Red by Jennifer M. Eaton 
Emily is a Red, a woman whose sole purpose in life is to produce offspring. When her husband dies and leaves her childless, she risks her life and forsakes the safety of Terra—a disease-free city born after the nuclear holocaust. Beyond its boundaries, she knows, survives a man with whom she can be properly paired.

The Outside, though, holds secrets the government struggles to keep, and what Emily discovers on her quest for a mate will change her life forever.Escort to Insanity by J.A. Belfield 
From a charity auction, to a stroll in the park, to the craziest night of her life. Nicole Harrington can’t help but wonder how a simple event went so drastically wrong.

Of course, the male escort she booked is wholly to blame. Not only charming but shrewdly intelligent, Benjamin Gold drags Nicole into a platoon of unimaginable problems—ones from which she’ll have to find the courage just to survive.

Kyra Lennon recently released book two of the Game On series. Blindsided looks so good and perfect for the holiday season. I read her novella If I Let You Go over Thanksgiving break and loved it, so I'm excited to read Game On and Blindsided soon. You can add Blindsided to your Goodreads list here.

After a successful first soccer season in L.A, Jesse Shaw heads to London with his best buddy, Hunter, but his world is turned upside down when a dangerous prank threatens his career and his blossoming relationship with Hunter’s cousin, Isabelle.

Isabelle Mills lives in Notting Hill with her parents and her twin sister, Georgia. When she finds out her cousin is coming to stay, along with his famous soccer player friend, her first instinct is to hibernate until they’ve gone. However, once she meets Jesse, everything changes. He’s everything she ever wanted, but with so many obstacles in their path, can she really risk putting her heart on the line?

And earlier in November, M. Pax released her The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear. You can add on Goodreads here. I'm hoping to read this title soon.

Graduation from community college isn’t the magic elixir Hetty Locklear counts on for becoming an adult. Her parents, who work the Renaissance fair circuit, insist she spend part of the summer with them. Hetty doubts pretending to live in the Middle Ages will help her find her way. To make it worse, an entity haunts her at her dead-end job, warning her of a dangerous man she doesn’t know. The ghost leads her to a lover who has a lot of secrets. He pulls her farther into peril and into a strange, hidden world of genetic experimentation. New Adult Urban Fantasy with a contemporary sci-fi twist. Mature content.

So, do you know of any new releases? 

GAME ON by Kyra Lennon

Print Edition

After swapping her small town life to work for one of the top soccer teams in the U.S, Leah Walker thought she could finally leave the ghosts of her past behind. However, when she meets serial womanizer, Radleigh McCoy, the memories of her old life come swarming back, and she is forced to ask herself whether she has really changed at all. 

E-book Edition

Game On Buy Links

Amazon.com kindle version 

Amazon.com paperback 

Amazon UK kindle version 

Amazon UK paperback 

Smashwords 

And be sure to follow Kyra's blog!


Congrats, Kyra, on your novel! Game On looks great.