Blogiversary | Between Worlds by Jacqueline Smith – Excerpt

March 4, 2015March 3, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 5 Comments

EXCERPT | BETWEEN WORLDS

TITLE: Between Worlds (Cemetery Tours Sequel)

PUBLISHER: Wind Trail Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: June 29, 2014

GENRE: Paranormal Thriller

Up in his apartment, Michael told Kate and Luke to make themselves at home while he fetched them something to drink. As always, Brink felt compelled to express his flat out astonishment that Michael was actually having guests over; even more so that he was having Luke Rainer over.

“What’s he doing here, anyway? Isn’t he supposed be off filming graveyards or something?” Brink asked.

“He said he was in town and decided to stop by,” Michael muttered softly.

“And here he is on your date. Nice,” Brink smirked. Michael glared at him. It was like talking to a skinny, teenaged Luke.

Michael could feel Brink trailing him as he made his way back into the living room, where Luke was filling Kate in on all of the team’s latest adventures. After handing them their drinks, Michael took a seat on the couch next to Kate. She took a sip of her soda and casually snuggled up next to him while Luke continued to talk. Michael was honestly beginning to think that he really had just dropped in to catch up when Luke asked, “So, have either of you ever heard of the Stanton Hall Manor?”

“No,” Michael answered.

“Maybe,” Kate replied. “I think it was featured on a documentary I saw about historic mansions in New England.”

“It probably was. It’s one of the most extravagant manors in Maine. Hell, it’s one of the most extravagant manors in the nation. It also happens to be one of the most haunted.”

Oh no… Michael already knew where this was going.

“Cool,” Kate grinned. “Are you guys going to investigate it?”

“Well, that’s the plan. However, there are some… conditions.”

“What kind of conditions?” Michael asked.

“The person who owns it now is a woman named Carolyn Drake. She inherited it from her uncle after he died. I’ve been trying to get her to let us investigate ever since the show premiered, but she’s always turned me down. She’s hoping to convert it into some kind of luxury bed and breakfast and she’s always thought that if we tell the world that it’s haunted, no one would want to stay there.”

“That’s strange. I’d think being on Cemetery Tours would make more people want to visit. I mean, look at the Stanley Hotel. That place is so haunted that it inspired Stephen King to write The Shining and now everyone wants to stay there,” Kate said.

“Well, her problem is that she doesn’t actually believe that it’s haunted. If she doesn’t believe it’s haunted, then she doesn’t have a whole lot of incentive for us to come investigate, and so on and so forth. But then, just as we’re in the midst of shooting for this season, I get an email from her. She said that she would agree to let the team film,” he paused and looked Michael in the eye. “But only if you come with us, Mikey.”

“And there it is. The catch,” Brink commented. Michael was still trying to register what Luke had just said.

“Wait, what?” he asked.

“I don’t know. She didn’t explain it to me. All she said was that she’d agree to let us come and investigate, but only if we brought you with us.”

“That just doesn’t make sense,” Michael said.

“Maybe she wants you to come along because she wants to show folks that it isn’t haunted,” Kate said. “Maybe if you get there and you don’t see anything, then that will prove once and for all that there are no ghosts there.”

“Oh, come on. Everyone knows that place is haunted. Mrs. Drake is just a crazy old fruit loop,” Luke crossed his arms and slumped back against his chair. “Don’t tell her I said that.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Michael said.

“So, what do you think?” Luke asked. “Will you come with us?”

Michael didn’t know how to respond. For the first time, Luke was asking him to be part of the show at the request of somebody else. Not just a request. Michael had to go or the episode wasn’t happening. That was a lot of pressure.

“Luke,” he began. “I know this means a lot to you, but I can’t just drop everything and go.”

“Why not?” Luke asked. “You’re already ‘out,’ so it’s not like you can use that as an excuse anymore. You don’t have a job to worry about – ”

“Actually, I do,” Michael corrected him. “I got an offer this afternoon, and I’m going to take it. I have to take it.”

“Why? Are you the new Captain of the Enterprise? Because if the job is for anything less cool than that, you still have no excuse to turn this down.”

“It’s for an insurance company. I’d be – ”

“Are you kidding me?” Luke interrupted him, exasperated. “I am here, offering you a gig on the most popular paranormal show on television, just like I have a thousand times in the past, and you’re turning it down to sell insurance?”

Okay, yeah, when he put it like that, of course it sounded lame. But what Luke didn’t understand was that the gig on Cemetery Tours was a one-time thing. Michael would still need a permanent job after it was over, and he didn’t know if he’d be lucky enough to find another company willing to take on a creepy ghost-talker.

“I’m sorry, Mikey, but this time, I really don’t understand you,” Luke continued. “You are so hell-bent on being normal and doing what you think everyone wants you to do that you’d pass up an opportunity that anybody else would jump at. Don’t you think so, Kate?”

“I want to go,” she agreed.

“You’re invited,” Luke told her. “But of course if Mikey doesn’t go, then no one gets to.”

Oh, great. Michael knew exactly what Luke was doing, and Luke knew it too. It had been one thing when him not going meant that Luke couldn’t go. But now, knowing that it also meant Kate couldn’t go was a whole different scenario. Michael had no problem saying no to Luke. But saying no to Kate? Impossible. That was how Luke had conned him into going to that stupid graveyard. He’d tricked Kate into asking Michael, knowing that Michael wouldn’t be able to turn her down.

Sure enough, as soon as the words were out of Luke’s mouth, Kate turned wide, pleading eyes up at Michael.

Luke just smiled. He had Michael exactly where he wanted him. Meanwhile, Brink snickered from the sidelines. “Well, it looks like you’re going to Maine.”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

ABOUT JACQUELINE

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | BLOG | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Jacqueline E. Smith was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She attended the University of Texas at Dallas, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Performance in 2010. Two years later, she earned her Master’s Degree in Humanities.

Along with writing and publishing, Jacqueline loves photography, traveling, and nature. (Photo Credit: Kaylynn Krieg)

JACQUELINE SMITH GIVEAWAY

Jacqueline has generously provided (3) e-book copies of Cemetery Tours and (3) e-book copies of it’s sequel, Between Worlds. There will be (3) Winners who will receive one copy of each book. This giveaway will run until March 7th.

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to enter the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway that’s running from March 1st – March 31st.

(1) Grand Prize Winner

$25 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) Signed physical copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
(1) Audiobook of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
(1) Signed physical copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Signed physical copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Signed physical copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Physical copy of Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris
(1) E-Book copy of the Off The Map Series by Lia Riley (Upside Down, Sideswiped, & Inside Out)
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
(1) E-Book copies of three children’s books by Alva Sachs (Circus Fever, I’m 5, & On Your Mark, Get Set,Go!)

(1) Prize Winner

$10 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
(1) E-Pub copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) E-Pub copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) E-Pub copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich

(1) Prize Winner

$5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) E-Book copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book

(1) Prize Winner

$5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jacqueline Smith week continues tomorrow with an author interview.

Blogiversary | Cemetery Tours by Jacqueline Smith – Excerpt

March 3, 2015February 25, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 1 Comment

EXCERPT | CEMETERY TOURS

TITLE: Cemetery Tours

PUBLISHER: Wind Trail Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: September 17, 2013

GENRE: Paranormal Thriller

He’d seen them for as long as he could remember.

They’d never scared him, really. When he was younger, he hadn’t known that there was anything different about them. By the time he was old enough to figure out that no one else could see them, he was also old enough to realize that being dead didn’t turn people into monsters. It just meant that most of them were lonely.

This guy scared him.

He was tall, almost as tall as Michael, who towered above most people at 6’2, and muscular, something that Michael couldn’t boast. His dark hair was buzzed short, like an army crew cut, and he wore dark navy jeans, a gray T-shirt, and an old black jacket. As intimidating has his physical appearance seemed, however, nothing compared to the fury and repulsion with which he stared at Gavin Avery.

“Michael?” Kate’s voice snapped Michael out of his stupor. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, fine.” He wasn’t fine though. His voice had gone hoarse, the same way it always did whenever he tried to choke out a lie. He cleared his throat and assisted Kate and Gavin setting the mattress against the wall. No matter how he tried to convince himself otherwise, he could feel the stranger’s eyes boring into the back of his neck. Although he didn’t think the ghost had noticed him staring, he didn’t want to draw any sort of attention to himself.

This was the reason he never complained about the strange noises or feelings of discontent that plagued the other residents of Building 17. He’d always been a terrible liar, and anyone observing him too carefully would realize that when he said he had no explanation for the weird things that happened, he wasn’t telling the truth.

Once ghosts figured out he could see them, they followed him home. Over the years, he’d gotten better at ignoring them, tuning them out, but there was always the occasional slip-up. He’d respond to an otherwise unheard voice, or accidentally make eye contact with someone who’d grown accustomed to being invisible. That was when the trouble started.

Michael had learned the hard way that nothing good came from interfering in the affairs of the afterlife. He’d always been careful not to let anyone know what he could see, but everyone, from his classmates to his own mother knew there was something wrong with him. Their suspicions were somewhat confirmed after he was arrested as a suspect in a murder investigation at the beginning of his senior year of high school. The charges were quickly dropped, but still, the damage had been done.

Now, whenever spirits followed him home, he ignored them. This was frustrating for all parties involved, but especially for the ghosts. They knew he could see them, but when he didn’t acknowledge them again, they grew agitated. Some of them went crazy, throwing pots and pans around or heaving books off of shelves, in desperate attempts to get his attention. They usually gave up and moved out after a week or so of being ignored. But some of them, the more annoying ones, tended to linger. Some acted out of spite, some out of boredom. Some flat out refused to move on for reasons that Michael could never figure out. Maybe they were waiting for someone, or maybe they were scared of crossing over. Michael could accept that. Still, he would have preferred they not make his apartment building their halfway house.

Thinking back to everything Kate had told him about Gavin, his mysterious ailment, even the break-in, Michael knew he should have realized that those were the products of a haunting. He’d experienced the same symptoms of dizziness and exhaustion on multiple occasions. Spirits thrived on energy. It was how they moved heavy objects, or manifested themselves to those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to see them. They took this energy from any source they could find; electricity, radio waves, even the living. Especially the living. Michael had always been particularly susceptible to their attacks. He had a theory that since his mind was already so open to the spirits, it made it easier for them to drain his energy.

He wasn’t sure if that was what was happening or if all the physical exertion was finally catching up with him, but all of a sudden, he felt dizzy and lightheaded. He broke into a cold sweat and without warning, the ground begin to tilt.

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

ABOUT JACQUELINE

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | BLOG | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Along with writing and publishing, Jacqueline loves photography, traveling, and nature. (Photo Credit: Kaylynn Krieg)

JACQUELINE SMITH GIVEAWAY

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to enter the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway that’s running from March 1st – March 31st.

(1) Grand Prize Winner

$25 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) Signed physical copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
(1) Audiobook of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
(1) Signed physical copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Signed physical copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Signed physical copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Physical copy of Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris
(1) E-Book copy of the Off The Map Series by Lia Riley (Upside Down, Sideswiped, & Inside Out)
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
(1) E-Book copies of three children’s books by Alva Sachs (Circus Fever, I’m 5, & On Your Mark, Get Set,Go!)

(1) Prize Winner

$10 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
(1) E-Pub copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) E-Pub copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) E-Pub copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich

(1) Prize Winner

$5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) E-Book copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book

(1) Prize Winner

$5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jacqueline Smith week continues tomorrow with an excerpt from Between Worlds, the sequel of Cemetery Tours.

Blogiversary | Jacqueline Smith Bio & Giveaway

March 2, 2015February 25, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 2 Comments

To kick off the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Celebration, this week’s featured author is Jacqueline Smith. Jacqueline has been so amazing to work with throughout this process and I’m excited to be sharing her work with my followers. Today I want to share a bit about each of her books. She will be participating in an author interview and will be sharing her experiences getting these books published later this week.

TITLE: Cemetery Tours

PUBLISHER: Wind Trail Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: September 17, 2013

GENRE: Paranormal Thriller

“Some secrets are best kept laid to rest.

At least, that’s as far as Michael Sinclair is concerned. At twenty-seven, he has spent his entire life perfecting the art of pretending that the ghosts he encounters on a daily basis do not exist. Now, if only the dead would let him rest in peace.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem likely, especially after Kate Avery and her ailing brother, Gavin, move in next door. Kate and Gavin are haunted, and not by a dearly departed loved one. This spirit is aggressive, menacing, and harboring a dark resentment toward Gavin. In spite of every instinct advising him to walk away, Michael finds himself seeking to uncover the mysteries of Gavin’s past, and falling for the bright and lovely Kate. Yet competing for her affection is Luke Rainer, television’s hottest celebrity ghost hunter and the only (living) person to know Michael’s secret.

But the dead have secrets, too. Some will go to any length to withhold what should have gone with them to the grave, while others will risk everything to make their voices heard, even if that means putting another’s life at stake. Now, for the sake of friends and strangers alike, Michael must choose between preserving his cherished anonymity and lending his aid to those for whom all hope seems lost.”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

TITLE: Between Worlds (Cemetery Tours Sequel)

PUBLISHER: Wind Trail Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: June 29, 2014

GENRE: Paranormal Thriller

“Someone always dies… Someone is always left behind…

Now that his secret is out, Michael Sinclair finally agrees to join paranormal superstar Luke Rainer and the Cemetery Tours crew on an investigation. Not just any investigation. The biggest investigation of their career.

Once home to the wealthy Sterling Hall and his beloved wife, Joanna, Stanton Hall Manor in Maine is famous for the love story that inspired it… and the ghosts who now inhabit it. For Luke and the crew, Stanton Hall is a dream come true. Unfortunately, some dreams turn out to be nightmares.”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

TITLE: Boy Band

PUBLISHER: Wind Trail Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: April 21, 2015

GENRE: Young Adult

“Sam Morneau is Melissa Parker’s best friend. He’s also a member of The Kind of September, basically the hottest boy band on the planet.

After two and a half years, Mel is all too familiar with the day-to-day occurrences that come with being a member of the band’s inner circle, including hectic schedules, passionate fans, and gossip-mongering celebrity girlfriends.

Now, with the release of the group’s third album just weeks away, their lives have never been crazier and Mel is doing everything she can to keep up, all the while trying to cope with the ridiculous rumors that follow the band everywhere they go and pretending that she isn’t harboring a secret and hopeless crush on Sam.

It’s weird enough being in love with your best friend. It’s even weirder when the rest of the world is in love with him, too.”

ABOUT JACQUELINE

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | BLOG | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Along with writing and publishing, Jacqueline loves photography, traveling, and nature. (Photo Credit: Kaylynn Krieg)

JACQUELINE SMITH GIVEAWAY

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to enter the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway that’s running from March 1st – March 31st.

(1) Grand Prize Winner

$25 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) Signed physical copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
(1) Audiobook of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
(1) Signed physical copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Signed physical copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Signed physical copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Physical copy of Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris
(1) E-Book copy of the Off The Map Series by Lia Riley (Upside Down, Sideswiped, & Inside Out)
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
(1) E-Book copies of three children’s books by Alva Sachs (Circus Fever, I’m 5, & On Your Mark, Get Set,Go!)

(1) Prize Winner

$10 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
(1) E-Pub copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) E-Pub copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) E-Pub copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich

(1) Prize Winner

$5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) E-Book copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book

(1) Prize Winner

$5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jacqueline Smith week continues tomorrow with an excerpt from Cemetery Tours.

Announcing Finding Zoe Giveaway Winner

January 13, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

Last week I posted a giveaway for a chance to win (1) physical copy of Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris. You can check out my review of the book here.

Now to announce the winner…drum roll please.

The winner is April Wood from A Well Read Woman. Thank you so much to everyone who entered and keep a look out for my upcoming giveaways.

Giveaway | Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus & Gail Harris

January 8, 2015January 7, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 4 Comments

Today is the last day to enter to win (1) physical copy of Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris. I thought this was a great book. You can check out my review here.

Enter here to win a copy of the book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

“Four-month old Zoe was gradually losing her hearing. Her adoptive parents loved her—yet agonized— feeling they couldn’t handle raising a deaf child. Would Zoe go back into the welfare system and spend her childhood hoping to find parents willing to adopt her? Or would Zoe be the long-sought answer to a mother’s prayers?

Brandi Rarus was just 6 when spinal meningitis took away her hearing. Because she spoke well and easily adjusted to lip reading, she was mainstreamed at school and socialized primarily in the hearing community. Brandi was a popular and happy teen, but communication—and being fully part of every conversation—was an ongoing struggle.

In college, Brandi embraced Deaf Culture along with the joys of complete and effortless communication with her peers. For the first time, being deaf wasn’t a handicap; it was a passport to a new and exciting world. Brandi went on to become Miss Deaf America in 1988 and served as a spokesperson for her community.

It was during her tenure as Miss Deaf America that Brandi met Tim, a leader of the Gallaudet uprising in support of selecting the school’s first deaf president. The two went on to marry and had three hearing boys—the first non-deaf children born in Tim’s family in 125 years.

Brandi was incredibly grateful to have her happy and healthy family, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing from her life. She had always dreamed she would have a daughter. Little did she know that just across the state line, Zoe was waiting for her.

Set against the backdrop of Deaf America, Finding Zoe is an uplifting story of hope, adoption, and everyday miracles.”

Upcoming Book Review & Giveaway | Finding Zoe

December 7, 2014December 5, 2014 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 2 Comments

I read this book in four days. I just couldn’t put it down.

My review of this wonderful book will be coming soon along with a GIVEAWAY!

Be sure to keep an eye out for it.

Book Review & Giveaway | Inside Out by Lia Riley

December 4, 2014December 3, 2014 ~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

BOOK REVIEW | INSIDE OUT BY LIA RILEY

“Lia Riley made New Adult readers fall in love with her breakout debut, Upside Down. Sideswiped, the second of her series, made readers clamor for more. Now, with INSIDE OUT, Lia Riley brings her evocative Off the Map series to a stunning conclusion.

When Talia first moved from California to Australia to study abroad, she never dreamed she’d find the love of her life. Bran understands her like no one ever has before. And despite the numerous challenges they’ve faced, they’ve always managed to figure out how to stay together. But this time they’ll face their toughest hurdle yet. Is their love strong enough to keep them together?”

***

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Inside Out was my all time favorite book of the Off the Map series. I tend to love books that are set in California and contain love, romance, and a little naughtiness.

This book is about love. It’s about family. It’s about letting go of your fears and embracing the world around you. It’s about believing in yourself against all odds.

Lia Riley has really taken Bran and Talia’s relationship to another level with this last installment of the series. When Talia contracts malaria during her short time with the Peace Corps, Bran immediately comes to her aid, flying all the way to Africa. He was there when Talia finally woke from her coma.

Bran helps Talia relocate back to California when her father insists that she recover in the states. Living under the watchful eye of Talia’s father was tough, but the toughest part for Bran was getting Talia to open up again. After returning to California she became very distant and thought of herself as a failure, but Bran was patient with her and knew that it would take time for her heart to open again. Thankfully she did.

This book explores the relationship between Talia and Bran, but also the relationship she has with her parents. And I can’t forget to mention a certain perverted creature named Chester.

Everything has come full circle since they first met in Upside Down, book one of the series. They’ve gone through so much and helped each other grow throughout each book.

***SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS***

Now for the number one reason I love this book! Drum roll please….

Talia and Bran get engaged at Yosemite National Park in California. Why is this so significant you ask? Well, it just so happens that my fiancé proposed to me in Yosemite as well. Yosemite is one of my favorite national parks. I couldn’t believe that I was able to say “yes” to the man I love overlooking beautiful Yosemite Valley with a view of Bridal Veil Falls, which is mentioned in the book.

Once it was revealed that Talia and Bran would be taking a trip to Yosemite, I jumped up to tell my fiancé. I was so excited! I just knew that Bran had something planned and couldn’t wait to find out how it ended.

And with that I want to share a picture from when my fiancé proposed in Yosemite.

Thank you to Lia Riley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me to read a copy of this book for an honest review.

Favorite Quotes

“She makes me want to be the best version of myself.”

“She’s it for me, forever, the last girl I’ll ever love.”

“One day, you’re sleepwalking through life, and the next you meet someone who wakes you up. A person who makes you want to try to dig in for your best self.”

Giveaways

Take a chance at winning the Inside Out Prizepack! You seriously can’t miss out on this giveaway. This awesome prize pack includes the following:

One digital copy of Upside Down (Book #1) Off the Map for you or a friend
TimTam’s (Australia’s best cookies)
Chocolate Koalas
Santa Cruz women’s hoodie (choice of S, M, L, XL)
Off the Map “If You Never Get Lost, You’ll Never Be Found” rubber wristband
Signed Off the Map Swag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In addition, I have been given an extra digital copy of Inside Out to give away via Net Galley. All my fellow Net Galley users please take advantage of this giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Overall Rating

About the Author

After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, Lia Riley scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. When not torturing heroes (because c’mon, who doesn’t love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

Buy Links: Amazon, B&N, iBooks, GooglePlay, Kobo

Social Media Links: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Tumblr

Publishing Company: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

Release Date: December 2, 2014

Genre: New Adult

Check out my reviews of the first two books in the Off the Map series.

Upside Down

Sideswiped

Upcoming Book Review Excerpt | Inside Out by Lia Riley

December 3, 2014December 1, 2014 ~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

To get you pumped for tomorrow’s book review and for TWO chances to win prizes, I wanted to share an excerpt from Inside Out by Lia Riley. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow because you don’t want to miss the amazing prize pack!

BOOK EXCERPT | INSIDE OUT BY LIA RILEY

Who was I when I first fell in love with Bran?

A person who had courage to stare down an unfeasible situation and say, Sure, I’m up for the challenge.

Who was I when Bran threw himself at me like a wounded animal, all claws, abandonment fear, spit, and fang?

A person who accepted that the moon has two sides, light and dark.

Who am I now?

I feel like a lost soul rocking in the corner, fresh out of ideas.

Bran pushes me through the long line until it’s our turn at the passport desk.

“How long do you plan to stay in the United States?” The customs official glances from Bran’s face to his passport photo and back again.

My stomach squirms like a writhing snake. We’ve avoided any discussion about future plans, focused instead on the short term. I had to accept the reality that I couldn’t return to the Peace Corps, even with the medical separation. I was too sick, too shattered. Our discussions about the logistics of leaving Africa were easier to concentrate on than the looming issue of what we were going to do with each other. I treated the topic like an abandoned lot, filled with weeds and rusting cars, a subject to walk past and pretend to ignore.

Now a stranger is forcing the issue.

“Until this one gets better.” Bran cocks his head in my direction.

The woman scoots forward, peers at me with a faint frown. “May I see proof of a return ticket, sir?”

Bran digs out the photocopy of his itinerary. When we bought the tickets, he had to borrow money from his dad. He hasn’t said much, but I know the fact must eat at him. Add another bitter drop to my guilt bucket—soon it’s going to overflow.

“You’re on a temporary tourist visa.” The customs agent flips the passport to a blank page and stamps with obvious relish. “You have three months, starting now.”

Here we go again.

Visa issues.

Ticking clocks.

People imagine international romance is excitement, hot accents, and adventure. They don’t want to hear about the bureaucratic drudgery that threatens to harden the arteries of even the most passionate hearts.

I thought I was going somewhere.

Nope.

I am an idiot Icarus who flew too close to the sun.

Bran leans forward, his lips hover an inch from my ear, his breath a hot caress on my cool skin. “You okay, Captain?”

“Fine.”

“What are you thinking, thinker?”

“I’m just sitting here, a sitter.”

We roll past an American flag overhanging a framed photo of the president. His smile seems smug, as if to say, You really thought you’d get away?

Yes, sir. I kind of did.

“We’re up next.” Bran hands a final customs form to yet another officer who waves us toward big silver doors that open and shut like gnashing teeth. On the other side is California. I can’t shake the disorienting sense we’re heading in the wrong direction.

“Ready?”

Nope.

Bran crossed an ocean for me. I have to find the way out of this black swamp, but I’m manacled to an island of self-doubt, and the tide is rising.

***

Thank you to Lia Riley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me to read a copy of this book for an honest review.

Upcoming Book Review & Giveaway | Inside Out by Lia Riley

December 2, 2014November 29, 2014 ~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

Lia Riley’s Off The Map series comes to a conclusion with today’s release of Inside Out! Inside Out is the final chapter of Bran and Talia’s romance. I’ve followed these two love birds through the ups and downs that come with loving someone more than anything and have enjoyed learning more about each character. While I’m sad the series is ending, I’m still loving the final book because it contains lots of familiar places to me.

As part of the Inside Out Blog Tour, I will be posting my review of the book on December 4th which will include TWO GIVEAWAYS! I know my followers love giveaways, so be sure to check out the review on Thursday.

I want to congratulate Lia Riley and thank her for allowing me to review each book in the series. I’ve loved reading them and would recommend the series to anyone who enjoys reading new adult books.

INSIDE OUT by Lia Riley (December 2, 2014; Forever E-Book; $3.99)

Lia Riley made New Adult readers fall in love with her breakout debut, Upside Down. Sideswiped, the second of her series, made readers clamor for more. Now, with INSIDE OUT, Lia Riley brings her evocative Off the Map series to a stunning conclusion.

About the author:

Social Media Links:

Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Tumblr

Buy Links:

Amazon, B&N, iBooks, GogglePlay, Kobo

Spooky Reads Week & Giveaway | Oct. 27th – Nov. 2nd

October 27, 2014 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 2 Comments

From October 27th – November 2nd, I will be participating in Spooky Reads Week hosted by Paris Baker’s Book Nook. I will be reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Fortunately, my future father-in-law had the book and is letting me borrow it. Score! If you are participating, let me know what you will be reading.