artsy musings of a bibliophile

Review: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris Blog Tour + Giveaway

by

Click the banner for the tour schedule.

Title: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century (My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, #1)
Author: Rachel Harris
Genre: Young Adult, Time Travel
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: 11 September 2012
Pages:  304 (eARC)


Synopsis
On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze. 
Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. 
Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?
My Rating
* * * *
The Review

After turning the last page of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, my mouth agape and my mind going in a thousand different directions, I smiled. The book is a brilliant stroke of creativity. Rachel Harris knows how to put together a book saturated with history, laughs, romance and emotions.

Cat Crawford is full of surprises and such a delightful character to get to know. I have to admit, I had qualms about reading a book with a 15 year old protagonist. But Cat’s clever insight and maturity removed all doubt about My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century being a fickle read from the first page in when Cat is actually on a plane.

I don’t particularly enjoy historical fiction or time travel but who knew that the genre could be so much fun to read! I have been turned into a fan. Rachel Harris has a way with words, making them flow together that my eyes were flowing across the pages as fast as they could. I found myself getting lost in the sixteenth century, falling in love with Less, Cip, Lorenzo and even Aunt Francesca and Uncle Marco. I found myself getting angry at Antonia and then at Niccolo for being so, so- creeptastic!

Lorenzo is another character I felt wanting to read more about. He is a fittingly handsome Renaissance gentleman and extremely swoon-worthy at that. At first, everything about Lorenzo screamed that he will be a very bad influence for Cat. But I was proved wrong and the guy had a pretty sensitive side as well. And Lucas had me at the first wink, I was swooning right along with Cat.

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is a light read but it does come with an emotional side. The vivid setting of the Renaissance along with the appreciation of the arts in the novel fascinated me to no end. I had been looking forward to read it ever since its first cover was revealed. Also, I just found out today that there will be a companion novel, A Tale of Two Centuries. The ending of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century has definitely left me wanting more!

Best Quotes: 
“Do you believe I am a dreamer? You are lit inside with a fire and passion unlike anyone I have ever known—I know you will speak the truth. So please, tell me, am I just a fool chasing dreams, wanting to be an artist?” 
“In Renaissance art, the pear symbolizes marital fidelity, so it’s fitting that one of the pears in the painting is sliced . . . The sliced-pear tattoo is a visible reminder of what she did to us, making sure I never forget that the heart can’t be trusted. Following it only leads to pain.“ 
About the Author

As a teen, Rachel Harris threw raging parties that shook her parents’ walls and created embarrassing fodder for future YA novels.

As an adult, she reads and writes obsessively, rehashes said embarrassing fodder, and dreams up characters who become her own grown up version of imaginary friends.

When she’s not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, you can find her homeschooling her two beautiful princesses, hanging out with her amazing husband, or taking a hot bubble bath…next to a pile of chocolate.

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is her debut novel. She didhave her own fantabulous Sweet Sixteen in high school. Sadly, it wasn’t televised.

Rachel Harris can be found at 

| Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Publisher | Tumblr |

Buy My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century (My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, #1)
| Amazon | B&N | Books-A-Million |

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Thanks to Entangled Publishing and Shane for providing me a copy of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century for review.

Cover Reveal: Uprising by Jessica Therrien + Teaser

by

I am so excited today because it is the cover reveal of Uprising, the second book in the Children of the Gods series by Jessica Therrien which will be out on 19 February 2013. Oppression, the first book, is one of my absolute favorite books and I am so glad to be a part of the series.

I really liked the cover of Oppression but the cover of Uprising has given it some serious competition. The main colors are so unique and the eyes play a big role in both the covers matching their titles. I am awed and I am blown away. Okay, I will stop my babbling so all of you can see the gorgeousness.

THE TEASER

     We left everything but the weapons. Clothes, food, toothpaste. There wasn’t time for things that weren’t essential to escape. The five of us went on foot in a direction that was meaningless to me. I had never seen what was outside of the edges of the safe haven, not since I’d been here.
     When Mac stopped abruptly after our fifteen-minute trek into the woods, we all froze at once, bodies poised and ready to attack, eyes searching for threats.
     “We’re here,” Mac announced. “What should we expect Marcus?”
     I had never heard Dr. Nickel called by his first name, and it made me realize he wasn’t as untouchable as I had imagined. Just because he was here, didn’t mean we were safe.
     “I don’t know,” he answered. “Maybe an army, maybe nothing. Depends on where they are.”
     “Everyone best get down on the ground just in case,” Mac decided with a nod. “Weapons ready.”
     As I lay belly down in the dirt, I noticed Dr. Nickel pull a gun from his belt, and my stomach gave a heave.
     “When I remove the haven walls, there will be a van. Everyone get in back. If anything goes wrong…” Mac paused, uncomfortable at the thought. “It’s been nice knowin’ ya.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessica Therrien is the author of the young adult paranormal fiction series Children of the Gods. Book one in the series, Oppression, was published by ZOVA Books in February of 2012 and became a Barnes & Noble best-seller shortly after its release. The second book in the series, Uprising, will be available in February of 2013.
Aside from her Children of the Gods series, Jessica’s work can also be found in a published collection of flash fiction stories called Campaigner Challenges 2011. Out of over 350 submissions her story, The Soulless, won first place for people’s choice and fourth place in the judging round of Rachael Harrie’s Writing Campaign Challenge. Her story,Saved, is also available as part of the anthology.
Jessica spent most of her life in the small town of Chilcoot, California, high up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In this town of nearly 100 residents, with no street lights or grocery stores, there was little to do but find ways to be creative. Her mother, the local English teacher, inspired her to do all things artistic, and ultimately instilled in her a love for language.
In 2003, Jessica attended California State University Long Beach where her passion for language found her studying Chinese, and in 2005 she moved to Taiwan to study abroad. From 2005 to 2006 Jessica was fully immersed in the Chinese language as she attended National Taiwan University, and in 2008 she graduated from San Diego State University magna cum laude.

Jessica Therrien can be found at
Buy Oppression (Children of the Gods, #1)

Review: Glitch by Heather Anastasiu Blog Tour + Giveaway

by

Click the banner for the tour schedule.

Title: Glitch (Glitch, #1)
Author: Heather Anastasiu
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: 7 August 2012
Pages:  308 (eARC)


Synopsis
In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.
When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.
As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.
In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.
My Rating
* *
The Review

“Order first. Order always.”

A world where order, logic and peace is above all else. A world which is an interminable gray. Zoel Q-24’s world where people are stripped off of every emotion to the extent of being called subjects. It seems like a perfect world because there is no fear, no anger, no hate and no greed; emotions that were the cause of the downfall of Old Earth. The Community is the be all and end all. Perfection.

But technology can only go so far and humans are evolutionary creatures. Subjects are sometimes able to feel emotions and see colors. To glitch. Zoe has been glitching and while she cannot control her glitches, she works hard to keep them under control. To clear herself of any emotions.

An ideal situation calls for a diagnostic to fix the V-chip so that the subject can be fixed. Glitching is an anamolous behavior in the Community. More anamolies mean the subject are useless, to broken to fix. Deactivation is the logical solution to such subjects unable to contribute to the community.

But Zoe doesn’t want to let go of the glitches because then, instead of the retina display of the Link News, she can access her thoughts, feel and see. She also has a Gift. A Gift that she is afraid of because it will cause her immediate deactivation. So she goes on, pretending.

However, there is a boy whose glance lingered on Zoe for more than a split second. The one with the aquamarines eyes. Is he a Monitor or someone she can trust herself with? It is hard to believe that anyone else could also glitch and be a cause of destruction in the Community. But Adrien helps her and tells her about the lies the community has fed about themselves and about the Old Earth. Adrien’s Gift makes it easier for Zoe to trust him.

Then there is Max. Max with a Gift which makes her afraid for him, the risks he is willing to take. But he is reckless and seem to be hiding something. Almost unable to deal with emotions. It makes Zoe question things. But being in the dark about human emotions for so long, it’s quite easy for her to be in the dark about uncertain emotions.

The Regulators and Monitors watch the subjects for any anomalous behavior and the Officials do the rest of the work. It all seems perfect. Too perfect. Glitch is a fast-paced dystopian novel about a perfect world of technology where nothing could go wrong as long as there are V-chips, memory erasers and deactivation.

Glitch offers characters unable to think, unaware and linked together as moving, breathing robots. It is a very intriguing concept where technology fails to deliver perfectly. Zoe is caught between her obligation to the community and the taste of diversified beauty the world has to offer her. Where will her decisions finally take her? I must admit I am only slightly curious how Zoe’s story will move forward in Override.

Best Quotes:
“Pain was one thing we were still able to feel, because it was necessary to safety; otherwise alloy workers would burn their fingers off by touching a hot kiln and not feeling it.” 
“I could breathe again. I felt myself expand in the same moment, color and sound and sense flooding back in, overwhelming me with a rush of smells and sounds.”
About the Author

Heather Anastasiu grew up in Texas and recently moved to Minneapolis with her family. When she’s not busy getting lost exploring the new city, she spends most days writing at a café or daydreaming about getting a new tattoo.

Glitch is her first novel.

Heather Anastasiu can be found at 

| Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Publisher | 

Buy Glitch (Glitch, #1)
| Amazon | Amazon (Kindle) | B&N | iBookStore | IndieBound |

The Giveaway

Thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin and Shane for providing me a copy of  Glitch for review.

Bout of Books 5.0: Goals and Updates

by

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 13th and runs through Sunday, August 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 5.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. -From the Bout of Books 5.0 team

Woohoo! This is my first ever read-a-thon and I literally jumped at the chance when I saw the post about it on Vicky’s blog Books, Biscuits, and Tea. Exciting Twitter chats, making new bookish friends and getting to read a lot, what’s not to like? It’s a wonder I never participated before.

GOALS

– Read more than 250 pages in a day; meaning a total of about 1800 pages in seven days.
– Finish my current reads (Crossed and The Accident Man) and read 4 more books (fingers crossed).
– Write reviews of books as I finish.
– Tweet updates on Twitter (#boutofbooks).
– Participate in the Twitter chats.
– Comment on other participating bloggers as much as I can.

I am including the books I want to finish, one of these might be left out.

Crossed (The Matched Trilogy, #2) by Ally Condie
The Accident Man (Samuel Carver, #1) by Tom Cain
Glitch (Glitch, #1) by Heather Anastasiu
Silver (Bandia, #1) by Talia Vance
Bad Boy by Olivia Goldsmith
Whatever It Takes by Adele Parks

PROGRESS

MONDAY
I found out about Bout of Books around 10:00 pm on my Monday night. Thus, in between creating my goals blogpost about the read-a-thon and then participating in the Twitter chat, it was after 12:00 am. So I didn’t get to read at all. But earlier in the day, I started Crossed so I am going to finish it as part of the Bout of Books read-a-thon.

Number of pages I’ve read today: 0
Number of books I’ve read today: 0
Total number of books I’ve read: 0
Books: 0
Reviews: None
Blogs I commented on: 1
#BoutofBooks Twitter chat: Participated
Challenges completed: 0
 
TUESDAY
Today was a good day in terms of reading ’cause I managed to finish Crossed and start Silver just as 12:00 am struck. Also, I baked a cake, not from scratch, but a cake is a cake.

Number of pages I’ve read today: 322
Number of books I’ve read today: 2
Total number of books I’ve read: 1
Books: Crossed by Ally Condie, Silver  by Talia Vance (8 pages in)
Reviews: None
Blogs I commented on: 21
Challenges completed: 1 out of 3

Curiosity Killed the Bookworm: Limericks

What book are you reading, where does it take place, and where is it going to relocate?
I am reading Crossed by Ally Condie which is set in the Outer Provinces and the Carving. I am going to relocate it to Holliss Pink Mansion in An Abundance of Katherines (John Green) and they will definitely fare better what with no shortage of food, plenty of paper and no risk of the Society ever catching up to them. Indie will probably scream but Eli would be a happy little guy. Ky would feel liberated and Cassia will have a field day with all that freedom.

Once Upon a Time: Character Interaction

WEDNESDAY
I continued Silver and then took a break from glaring into my laptop screen. I figured it would be a great thing to read an eBook along with a print book so I resumed my other current read, The Accident Man.

Number of pages I’ve read today: 252
Number of books I’ve read today: 2
Total number of books I’ve read: 1
Books: Silver by Talia Vance, The Accident Man by Tom Cain
Reviews:
Blogs I commented on: 5
#BoutofBooks Twitter chat: Couldn’t participate as it was at my 6:00 am.
Challenges completed: 1 out of 2

The Musings of ALMYBNENR: Book Word Search
I did my best but some words were so hard to find.

The Busy Bibliophile: Match the Zombie Book Cover
It’s all about matching the cover with the title. I had so much fun!

THURSDAY
I read Glitch all day today and as it was a long-ish book, I am glad I finished it.

Number of pages I’ve read today: 371
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read: 2
Books: Glitch by Heather Anastasiu
Reviews: Glitch
Blogs I commented on: 16
Challenges completed: 3 out of 3

Reading in Winter: A Book for Every Season
Choosing a perfect book for each season. These are some of the best books I have ever read and I think the fit the seasons pretty well.

Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

BookSmartie: Candy Challenge
I don’t usually snack but when I do, it’s a steaming mug of a perfectly brewed tea. Sometimes I have cookies or anything sweet to go with it. But there’s always a chance that I get lost in the story that my tea runs cold. It has happened quite a few times actually.

Books with Cass: Contemporary
My favorite contemporary of 2012 has to be Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry, my favorite contemporary cover of 2012 is a tie between Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill and Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham and my biggest surprise contemporary book of this year is Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus.

FRIDAY
Today, I managed to finish The Accident Man because I wanted to be done with the book and also, I also finished Silver, the book is unlike any other book I have ever read so I am still lost in its world.

Number of pages I’ve read today: 425
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read: 3
Books: Silver by Talia Vance, The Accident Man by Tom Cain
Reviews: None
Blogs I commented on: 5
Challenges completed: 2 out of 2

BookGoonie: Book Spine Poetry
I had no idea there was such a thing as spine poetry and I am loving it! =D Here’s me feeble try at it:

Fever Damned,
The Curiosities Cursed,
Night Sky Crossed.
1
2

Q1. What book are you most looking forward to based on summary alone? Feel free to show off the summary!
The only thing worse than forgetting her past… is remembering it.
Yes, it’s just a snippet of the synopsis but I freakin’ cannot wait to read Unremembered by Jessica Brody.

Q2. What book are you most looking forward to based on cover art alone? Feel free to show off the beautiful cover art!
Afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler. I can keep looking at the cover it’s so mesmerizing.

SATURDAY
I knew I wouldn’t get much reading done today but I will later in the evening.

Number of pages I’ve read today: 59
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read: 4
Books: Bad Boy by Olivia Goldsmith
Reviews:
Blogs I commented on:
#BoutofBooks Twitter chat:
Challenges completed: 2 out of 3
My Not So Real Life: Music

My Seryniti: Page 99 Test
So I chose to read the 99 page of Beauty and the Bully and I think I’ll give this book a go.
Page 99 of Beauty and the Bully by Andy Behrens

Chapter 10

Duncan plopped down next to Stew at their usual lunch table.

“You’re not dining with Friends of the Beaver today?”

“They’re called TARTS,” said Duncan. “And no, I am not. No direct invitation was extended. But Carly is still being cool.”

Jessie slammed her fry-filled cafeteria tray down on the table directly across from Duncan. “Well, did you tell Stew all about him?” she asked, clearly thrilled. She dipped several fries into a pool of ketchup then stuffed them into her mouth.


“No, I haven’t yet,” Duncan said. “Stew was making beaver cracks again.”

“Did you tell me about who?” he asked.

“Abugh da poofeh buwwy!” said Jess, chewing, fry bits falling out of her mouth.

“Um, one more time, please,” said Stew.

Jess swallowed, then cleared her throat. “About the perfect bully,” she said. “What are you, deaf?”
What do you guys think?

Ex Libris: Virtual Travels
I chose Crossed as the book to travel virtually and in the book, the imaginary places are first the bunk area where Cassia sleeps on her assignment in Tana and then the Carving beyond the Outer Provinces.

Photo Credit
Photo Credit

So I think I did a pretty good job here visualizing the places.

SUNDAY

Number of pages I’ve read today:
Number of books I’ve read today: 1
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books:
Reviews:
Blogs I commented on: 5
Challenges completed: 0 out of 2


VERDICT 

I finished 5 books, read 1777 pages, wrote 1 review, tweeted regularly, participated in 1 Twitter chat, took part in 10 challenges and commented on 70 blogs.

Review: My Paper Heart by Magan Vernon Blog Tour + Giveaway + Interview

by

Click the banner for the tour schedule.

Title: My Paper Heart
Author: Magan Vernon
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Calta Press
Release Date: 1 August 2012
Pages:  130 (eARC)


Synopsis
There are worse things in life than failing out of college- such as having your parents receive the letter that you’ve been kicked out.
Now to appease her parents self-proclaimed sorority princess Libby Gentry is packing up her Prada bag and heading to work for her great aunt’s antique store in tiny Elsbury, Louisiana. She’s pretty sure she can tackle the swamp and deal with her great aunt and tom boy of a little cousin, but what she doesn’t know is if she can handle the local town playboy, Blaine Crabtree. 
As Libby’s feelings for Blaine grow, so does her need for acceptance and all of the insecurities she has kept inside are coming out. She may have survived the Louisiana swamp, but she may not survive Blaine’s reluctance to say the ‘L’ word. When Blaine finally commits to the three words Libby’s been waiting for, she only hopes they haven’t come too late.

My Rating

* * * *
The Review

A piece of a dead tree makes it way to Libby’s home and her immediate future is decided. In a matter of few hours, Libby goes from being a sorority princess at the Illinois State University to working at her great aunt’s antiques shop in Louisiana. Talk about a major demotion! Well, it is what it is, so Libby begrudgingly packs her bags to leave her home for who knows how long.
It’s not like Libby can say much to defend her party-hard-and-get-drunk-harder image because no one really wants to know her. They form opinion on what they see and why her parents should be any different? 
However, when it comes to adjusting, Libby is a pro. She is also a pro when it comes to pretending but I will save that for later. Libby is pretty sure she can mend her paper heart along with her insecurities with Aunt Dee’s heavenly cooking while trying to give a makeover to her tomboyish fifteen-year-old cousin, Brittany.
But Libby is like a moth to a flame in the town of Elsbury when it comes to attracting the attention of the town people. In particular, Blaine Crabtree. What is with the guy with his annoying habit of commenting on her slutty ways. He’s the one to talk, after going at it with half the town! 
Like Libby though, Blaine has a story of his own and as he realizes and apologizes for his inappropriate behavior towards Libby, things take a turn for the better. Now Blaine and Libby cannot get enough of each other’s company. However, Brittany have a crush on Blaine (which Libby is aware of and is sorry for) so she makes Libby insecure with all the boyfriend talk. Things that makes Libby question everything over and over again for Libby has a bad experience with Beau, her ex.
Now, each small progress in their relationship seems like a burden to Libby and she keeps thinking if she is not good enough. Libby is a product of bullying and being made fun of for years haven’t settled well with her. Even though she has hidden all of that in layers of great fashion sense and what-not; it never really went away.
Blaine is a very humble character who has turned to wrong ways trying to make himself feel better about himself. So when Libby barges in speaking her thoughts out loud and daring him to feel again, Blaine realizes the error of his ways. But he needs little more than a push to move forward. Libby, on the other hand, is a very upbeat character and finds the fun part in any aspect of her life. But just as quickly, her spirits also gets diffused so it is intense to see her grow.
So while Blaine is helping Libby overcome her fear of bad relationships, so is Libby helping Blaine with his relationship issues. Nothing like something that makes you want to step out of your comfort zone to embrace the better. After all, it is darkest before the dawn and I always find such books beautiful.
My Paper Heart is a great contemporary debut by Magan Vernon which should not be missed at all. I hope she writes more contemporary books. It makes you think about all the possibilities in life and how each moment in life builds up to the moment of realization. Of need. And of what it takes to finally grow up.

Best Quotes:
“Mom held the piece of paper in her hands. It was as if she was holding my heart. Thin and frail. My paper heart to be torn to shreds.”
About the Author
Self-proclaimed geek-to-glam poster child who channels her inner geek by writing science fiction for teens. Even though she slept with a night light until she was in middle school for fear of alien attacks.

She now lives with her husband, daughter, and dog in central Illinois where she still sleeps with a night light…just in case.

Magan Vernon can be found at 

| Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Publisher | 

| Amazon (Kindle) | B&N | Smashwords |

The Interview
Hello, Magan. I am so glad to have you on my blog today! I really enjoyed My Paper Heart and so let’s get started with the interview to know more about it.

I read in your bio that you’re “self-proclaimed geek-to-glam poster child.” What’s the story behind it?
Well, my husband says I’m still a geek, but I digress. I was always the geeky girl growing up that preferred to read a book (mainly comic books) instead of going out. Then I went to college, put down the comic books, joined a sorority and all of a sudden the girl who others looked at as being the geek in the back of the room turned into the girl who made sure not to let her heels slip in the drool that had pooled on the floor from people staring.
Okay, maybe a little bit over the top, but you get the picture 🙂 
The title of your book is very intriguing and describes Libby very aptly, how did you come up with it?
The title of the book was originally ‘My Own Summer,’ but then I found out that was a song by The Deftones that definitely gave off the wrong message. One of my critique partners helped me come up with the concept because it had a lot to do with the paper that Libby received that said she had been kicked out of college and following her heart. 
What was your favorite part about writing My Paper Heart?
Blaine, most definitely. I’m a sucker for a southern gentleman, but he was really complicated. He was gruff yet sensitive and for a long time I didn’t know what his deal was. He was a mystery even to me! 
The hardest?
Libby’s sorority life. I am a sorority girl and there were some parts of the whole process that I loved and there were other parts that tore me to shreds. Some of the stuff Libby goes through were made up (not from my own experiences, but some I’ve heard that other sororities did), but some of the stuff took me to my darkest times living in the house. 
What is the one book that has most influenced your life and why?
No laughing, but Twilight.
I was in my senior year of college and my roomie was OBSESSED with the books. I never had time to read for pleasure (I was working a job, an internship, and going to school full-time), but she let me borrow them anyways. I ended up being hooked. I found myself sneaking the books under the table during class just to finish them. This drew me to the young adult genre and it was how I got started writing My Paper Heart…eventually. It took me another year before that was actually started. 
Are there any occupational hazards to being a writer?
People can be mean. There are some reviews that rip me to my core, one review even said they wanted to ‘effing slap me.’ I try and be the better person, but sometimes it feels like people forget the author is human. I respect reviewer’s opinions and I value them, but I think there is a difference between attacking the words the author puts down and attacking the story itself. 
What genre did you relate to more when writing: paranormal or contemporary?
Ohhh tough one!
There are parts to both that I related to. Of course, I’m not dating an alien, but there are real struggles that Alex deals with in My Alien Romance series that I deal with on a personal level. With that said, contemp is harder in some ways because then I have to be rooted in reality and make sure that I’m not throwing things around that don’t make sense. Sometimes I wish my life was a little more paranormal and I could explain where the helter all my missing socks go! 
What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview and how would you answer that question?
Is your husband really an alien?
My answer? Yes. He won’t admit it, but I watched enough Roswell to know that a guy who eats that much hot sauce cannot be human. 
What book are you currently reading?
I’m critiquing a friend’s manuscript right now, which is hard to read while I’m critiquing, but I’m still hooked to CK Bryant’s BOUND (which is free on Amazon). 
You never leave your home without?
Cell phone 
Favorite time of the day?
The morning. If I sleep in too late then I feel like my whole day is gone. 
Everyone should know that you are – ?
A working mother and author. People do always ask ‘when is the next book coming out?’ or wonder where I am during the day. I work a normal day job in auto claims, come home to my daughter at night, and write when I can. If I don’t get stuff out as fast as others, it’s because I’m saving the world one auto accident at a time 🙂
Thanks again for having me!
The Giveaway
Magan has generously provided an eBook copy to giveaway. Rules are in the rafflecopter widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Magan Vernon for providing me a copy of My Paper Heart for review.