Wednesday, February 29, 2012

First Kiss Winners!!


The FIRST KISS contest has come to an end! Thanks to everyone who entered! If you are a winner, you will be receiving an email from the author whose book you won! Congrats especially to Nessa - who won the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Remember - there will be another contest this month, to celebrate the upcoming zombie apocalypse. So stay tuned! :)


LIST OF WINNERS (Chosen by Rafflecopter, via Random.org)


Winner of $50 Gift Card to Amazon: Nessa Kreyling

Winner of "Freaks of Greenfield High" - Kristin McDonald

Winner of "Somewhere Over the Freaking Rainbow" - Lisa Van

Winner of "Blue Eyes and Other Teenage Hazards" - Melissa Mosloski

Winner of "Heaven is for Heroes" - Nessa Kreyling

Winner of "For Always" - Sabina

Monday, February 27, 2012

Last First Kiss Post - Maree Anderson - And Giveaway!!

Have you been enjoying these first kiss scenes as much as I have? It's been so much fun having guest posts this month. In fact, I've enjoyed it so much, I'm going to do something different next month - to celebrate the release of Tomorrow Land. (Note the new blog look!) I'm thinking something post-apocalyptic and/or zombie themed. But more on that in March!





Today we have Maree Anderson, author of "Freaks of Greenfield High." Her heroine is actually a cyborg who looks just a like your everyday teenage girl on the outside.  How cool is that? I'm going to let Maree explain the rest below.

Remember - this works just like the other posts. Read the except and then enter to win. I'm giving away copies of all these authors' books as well as a $50 gift card to Amazon. Winner will be chosen February 29th.

Today's question? Who would you love to kiss? (Celebrity or boy next door!) And those of you who have boyfriends or husbands -- let's pretend they don't mind you doing it!!

Now, without further ado, here's Maree and Freaks of Greenfield High.

The Set-up:

When a covert organization intent on her as a weapon comes after her, Jay needs to find a place where she can blend in. Greenfield High seems perfect, except all the boys think she’s totally hot and keep hitting on her, and she has no idea how to handle them.

Jay’s just been partnered for Bio with ex-jock fallen from grace Tyler. She’s fascinated by him… and the feeling is entirely mutual. Unfortunately for Tyler, the thrill of scoring the hot new girl as his lab partner is marred by his reaction whenever he’s forced to dissect stuff. Last time he fainted. This time, as he watches Jay fishing round in Kermit’s stomach cavity, the result is far more humiliating. He loses his breakfast… all over the girl he so desperately wants to impress. Next stop, the guys’ bathroom to clean himself up and wish he was dead… but Jay follows him in.

***

The Kiss!

“You don’t know me. Why should my wellbeing concern you?”

Gah! Did the girl not understand guy-talking-to-hot-chick subtext? She was gonna make him come right out and say it.

But before he could make a complete dumbass of himself, Jay nodded slowly, like she’d finally understood what he was trying not to say.

He sagged with relief, because once he admitted how he felt about her, there was no taking it back. And if he’d read her wrong, and she wasn’t into him, wasn’t doing anything more than being “nice” to a guy she felt sorry for, he’d be gutted.

When she didn’t say anything more, he slanted her an assessing glance. But he couldn’t tell what she was thinking at all—not the merest hint.

Weird.

Tyler had become pretty good at reading people’s faces. It was a skill he’d perfected, a skill that helped him get by in this clichéd little corner of hell where the jocks and the cheer squad ruled. He knew how to get by without a bunch of peeps to watch his back. He knew when he could get away with mouthing off. Just like he knew when to shut up, suck it up and do a disappearing act. He had it down to a fine art.

The silence stretched.

Tyler’s hopes wound tight, strangling him. What was he thinking, falling for a girl he’d just met? Jeez. He was a dumbass. He’d played right into her hands. Any moment now, she’d slink back to Shawn and this whole pathetic little episode would be all over school.

Except she stayed right where she was, her whole focus on him.

There was a light in her eyes that made his gut clench—in a good way. When he inhaled, she was standing so very close that her scent curled through him. His eyelids drifted closed. And then, layered beneath her fresh, clean smell was something indefinable, something that made his heart clamor. The merest hint of strangeness.

His eyelids popped open. His gaze locked on hers.

Those remarkable eyes held his, unblinking. Unwavering.

He saw it then, got the feeling she deliberately let him see it. Jay had secrets. Just like he did. And he didn’t move at all, not a muscle, as she rose up on tiptoe to press her lips against his.

The kiss was excruciatingly gentle, a butterfly kiss, the merest brush of her lips against his before she backed off and considered him through narrowed eyes.

“What’s wrong?” he whispered.

“That must be painful.” She pressed the pad of her finger to her lips and then stroked it lightly across the spot on his chin.

She was gone as quickly and noiselessly as she’d come, leaving Tyler’s face glowing from her attentions. And his heart aglow with something else—something he’d never felt for a girl before. Something more than just a little scary.

***

Buy Freaks of Greenfield High for US$2.99:


About Maree

Maree is an award-winning author who writes paranormal romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and young adult books. She’s a Kiwi, a New Zealander, and she’s addicted to chocolate — the darker the better. Not to mention coffee, and the occasional glass of excellent NZ wine. She’s not quite so addicted to her local gym, but she’s working on it ;-)

To date she has published three erotic romance novellas and two erotic romance novels with Red Sage Publishing, along with three paranormal romance novels and one young adult novel. She’s currently working on the third book in her Crystal Warriors paranormal romance series, and then she plans to make fans of Jay and Tyler happy by writing a sequel to Freaks of Greenfield High.

She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to drop her a line via her website.

You can also find Maree on Facebook:
General author page: http://www.facebook.com/MareeAndersonAuthor
YA page: http://www.facebook.com/MareeAndersonFreaksofGreenfieldHigh

Okay! Now time for the contest!!

And now time to enter!! Remember - I want to know WHO you'd love to kiss--if you could kiss ANYONE?

Official Contest information:

•to enter, please fill out the form below
•entrants must be 13 years of age or older
•contest is international
•the winner will be emailed
•DO NOT PUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Dystopian February!

I'm over at Presenting Lenore today - showing off my upcoming novel TOMORROW LAND and talking about my favorite dystopian books. All part of her Dystopian February monthly blog theme. (The BEST place, in my opinion, to find out about awesome upcoming dystopian novels - do not go there unless you have a lot of money to pre-order new, awesome books, lol.)

I'm also doing a giveaway - $25 gift card and an e-copy of Tomorrow Land.

Check it out!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Misc things...

I'm blogging today over at L. L Muir's blog. (See her post on my blog below) I've been trying to set up a lot of guest blogs to help promote my new releases. Sometimes it's tough coming up with topics though. I don't know what people would like to know about! (If anything...haha)

My dad and stepmom are visiting tomorrow so I might be a little MIA. They're coming to see Avalon - who was only 5 weeks old the last time they came. She's changed....a bit. ;-)

Last visit:


Now:


Ah time flies when you have a baby!

Speaking of babies -- my book baby, SOUL BOUND is launching in UNDER TWO WEEKS!!! I can't believe we're at #7 in the series. It seems like only yesterday the original Boys that Bite came out. But it was back in 2006--six years ago! That means the original readers are probably graduated from college by now!!


Thank you all for sticking with the series this long and I'm so glad you've enjoyed the adventures of Sunny, Rayne, Magnus and Jareth. (And others!) There's one more book left after Soul Bound...called Blood Forever. Hopefully I can show off the cover soon.

And speaking of covers, check this out!! This is for an upcoming digital release I have. It was originally titled MOONGAZER but I'm updating the book and making it into a YA. It should be released by May. But isn't the cover spectacular? You'll be hearing a lot more about this book soon!!!


In the meantime, thanks for being patient for my other digital re-release, Tomorrow Land. We had to do one more round of copyedits -- after all, don't you hate when a book has errors in it? I know I do! So this way it might take an extra couple weeks to be released, but at least when it it, it'll be perfect! (Or as perfect as possible.) I'm really psyched about this book release -- I have such a soft spot for post-apocalyptic zombies.


BTW if you like zombie books? I highly recommend Amanda Hocking's The Hollows series. It's kind of got the same vibe as Tomorrow Land, really. Kick-butt heroine, zombie apocalypse. But the storyline is quite different. The best part is--the first book is free to download. Seriously - I've paid like 20 bucks for books that I've never finished. And this one I raced through...for free!!



And speaking of the apocalypse -- I will end with a cheesy post-apoc movie recommendation. Thanks to Donna over at the Bites blog. It's called Solar Babies. And is full of awesome. Think post-apoc teens in a desert wasteland...rollerskating. Yeah. You have to see it to believe it. And--bonus--it's got Lost Boys/Less Than Zero's Jamie Gertz and Jason Patric starring.

But don't take my word for it. Watch the trailer in all its cheese. The movie's on Netflix.




I can't top this...so I'll sign off for now! Talk soon!!!

MARI

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

First Kiss Blogger - L. L. Muir - AND GIVEAWAY


Got another great First Kiss excerpt for you today. This one's from author L. L. Muir who wrote the awesomely titled YA paranormal, "Somewhere Over the Freaking Rainbow." Yeah, I totally now aspire to use "freaking" in a title someday! I know Rayne would approve. :) It's book one of the "Angels of Somerled" series.

You know the drill by now! Read the except and enter to win! We're giving away a copy of the book and a $50 gift card to Amazon at the end of February. Not much time left!!!

TODAY I want you to tell me about your BEST KISS EVER!!! (And I promise not to tell your current squeeze if it wasn't from him...) ;-)

And now... here's a first kiss except from "Somewhere Over the Freaking Rainbow." (Man, do I freaking love that title!!


His hand smoothed over the abused leather of the door. “Sorry. I’m not the tantrum type. I promise.”


He’d changed the subject. She took the hint.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s a tough car.”

“Yeah. My Honda would have been totaled.” He faced her and smiled. Then he looked at her mouth and the smile dropped away. While she watched in fascination, Jamison’s arm snaked behind her. “I’m so glad you were here.” He gave her a little hug.

She hugged him back, wishing so much to have been able to feel the pressure of it. When he eventually loosened his hold, she looked in his eyes. Their faces were only inches apart. She could almost taste the warmth of his skin.

She’d imagined all kinds of cravings, for all kinds of flavors during her short existence, but never for the taste of someone.

He was looking at her lips so intently she didn’t dare move them. His lashes were incredibly long, golden brown. His nostrils flared suddenly and the entire world tilted with his face as he moved forward. His mouth met hers as smoothly as...breathing.

She focused her conscious thought to the rise and fall of his chest, to his nearness, and she could have wept for her lack of taste in her mouth or sensation in her lips. For the first time, she mourned for the depth of experience lost to her. This wasn’t the smell or feel of peaches, or the taste of corn coming apart in her mouth. This was mortality beneath her hands, against her fingers...and completely out of her reach.

He pulled his arms from around her, put his hands to either side of her face, and looked into her eyes. And suddenly Skye felt ‘seen’ for the very first time. She imagined her true self inside her head, jumping up and down, waving at him, yelling, “hello!”

She was struggling for the right words to say; something cool, something appropriate—anything that wouldn’t ruin the memory of her first, and possibly only, kiss. Very soon, they were going to go through Hell together and then she’d take her place in the circle. Nothing could stop either from happening, but she had this one mortal-esque memory she could take with her.

If she didn’t say the wrong thing now.

Her lips moved. No words came out, but the movement got his attention and he pulled her mouth close and kissed her again. For a moment, she imagined a tingling in her toes. She pulled back and wiggled them, testing. Nothing.

“Sorry.” Jamison dragged his hands slowly off her face, like a blind man, memorizing.

“Please don’t be sorry. I didn’t mind.”

Oh great. She may as well embroider “take me, take me now,” on her shirt.

He was frowning. “Sorry if I’m not any good. I haven’t kissed much.”

She pulled herself back to her side of the car and looked out the window. No one was gawking through the glass, thank Heavens. A nurse made her way across the parking lot and got into her car.

Wow. Even if she had no sensation and no taste, she still realized what an incredible kisser he was. She’d seen women weep over such kisses, and not in the movies, either. His first serious girlfriend was in for a happy surprise. It shocked her, the sudden understanding she had for women eaten alive with jealousy.

He rubbed his hands on the knees of his jeans. Sweaty palms? Nervous maybe? She needed to acknowledge what he’d said.

“I’m sure you won’t be surprised when I tell you I’ve never kissed anyone before, and even I know that was...staggering.”

His hands stopped moving. He turned to her and grinned.

“Staggering’s good, right?”

“Oh, good. Definitely good.”
Like what you've read? Here's how to buy!! At only $2.99 for the ebook, I'd buy it for the title alone! :)

About Somewhere Over the Freaking Rainbow
Jamison is crushing on the new girl next door. Bad news—the neighbors are Somerleds--Amish-type cult-members killing off their own. Worse news—she’s next in line for sacrifice. Jamison will have to rise above the coward he thinks he is to get to the bottom of it all.


Something is terribly wrong with Skye. She’s experiencing emotions like the mortal teenager she’s pretending to be. When she finally asks the right questions, she finds answers that will rock the Somerled world...

...and none of her options include Jamison, the boy who has stolen the heart she was never meant to have.

Buy from Amazon
Buy from Barnes and Noble

AND NOW CONTEST TIME!!!

And now time to enter!! Remember - I want your BEST KISS EVER story this time!!


Official Contest information:

•to enter, please fill out the form below
•entrants must be 13 years of age or older
•contest is international
•the winner will be emailed

•DO NOT PUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION

 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

First Kiss Guest Blogger - Janette Rallison - And Giveaway!


I meant to post this yesterday, but I forgot about the holiday--and my husband's birthday! (OK I luckily remembered the birthday part in time to celebrate with him!) In any case, today we have a new guest blogger -- the lovely, talented Janette Rallison who has written a gazillion awesome YA and middle grade for Putnam and Walker and has--just like me--started to put some of her old books online so we all can read them once again! Yay!

Today Janette shares a first kiss story from her novel "Blue Eyes and Other Teenage Hazards." (Love this title -- I was always a sucker for blue eyes myself back in high school...)

So you all know the drill by now!! Read the excerpt and follow the rules below to win a copy of this book -- and a $50 gift card. There will be new chances to win and new guest authors ALL WEEK LONG.

Oh and just to mix it up, if you've already told your first kiss story on another day - today I want to hear about your WORST KISS EVER.

We'll have more guest bloggers all week so stay tuned!! And check out Janette's books on her website or on Amazon and B&N.

And now, without further ado...here's our FIRST KISS of the day!


Josh was still studying me. “You’re not mad at Elise for going after Bob, are you?”

“No. He’s just a friend.”

“Oh.” Josh nodded, considering this. “Is there anyone you like more than a friend?”

My gaze went to Josh’s. Why was he asking? Was he just making small talk or did he have a personal interest in the subject?

He was looking at me intently, his blue eyes locked on mine.

I shrugged. “There might be.”

“Anyone I know?”

“Maybe. You know a lot of people.”

Josh put his arm on the back of his seat, his fingers nearly brushing against my shoulder. “What’s he like, this guy?”

Normally I wouldn’t have admitted to anything, but I was tired of all my moments with Josh being ordinary, safe. This was one I was going to seize. “He’s the usual sort of guy that girls get crushes on. Smart. Funny. Really responsible.”

“That’s the usual sort? Why don’t I have girls swarming me?”

“He’s also tall, dark, and handsome,” I added, “Plus he’s got these gorgeous eyes—all deep blue and mystical.” I looked away from him then. I couldn’t keep looking at the eyes I’d just described.

Josh leaned a little closer to me. “A rich guy with a sports car?”

“Not really.”

Josh nodded, his gaze still intense. “Would I approve of you with this guy?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “Would you?” I let my gaze slide to his then, just long enough to see him smile. I wasn’t going to say more. I wasn’t about to admit to everything when he hadn’t admitted to anything yet.

“I think I might approve of this guy.” Josh kept smiling. His voice was soft now, as lulling as the heater. “You said Bob didn’t kiss you. Have you ever been kissed?”

“Sure, if you count the time in the fourth grade when Jonny Miller cornered me in the coat closet.”

“No, I’m talking about a real kiss.” Josh moved even closer to me. “You’ll always remember your first real kiss.”

I thought about asking him if he remembered his first real kiss, but on second thought, I didn’t want to hear about any of his past kisses. “You’re probably right,” I said.

“If I was to kiss you now, I’d go down in your personal hall of fame. The opportunity is irresistible.”

And then he kissed me, and it was a real kiss. He put his hands around my waist to pull me closer. His lips were soft against mine, a question—one that I wanted to answer. In essay form.

I love the last line of this first kiss story, don't you? Oh and spoiler alert -- the second kiss happens a few seconds later...so I'm guessing the first kiss was pretty darn good for both of them! :)

Oh and did I mention the ebook is on sale for only 99 cents?! Yup, yup! And since I know you're all now as intrigued as I was about this book, here's all the deets!! And don't forget to enter to win a copy below!!

About Blue Eyes and Other Teenage Hazards

Cassidy knows everything about Chad--everything, that is, except how to get him to notice her. Someday, somehow, she vows, those deep blue eyes are going to look her way. In the meantime, she's got plenty of other things to worry about.

Cassidy has always been happy to be the studious, reliable type--until Elise and her good-looking brother move into the neighborhood. Elise is determined to introduce Cassidy to the partying life. But will Elise's Carpe Diem ways land Cassidy in more trouble than she's prepared for? Can a girl be smart and have fun too? Cassidy is about to find out.

To purchase for 99 cents:
Amazon
B&N
Smashwords (you can read this version on your computer if you don't have an ereader)


And now time to enter!! Remember - I want your WORST KISS EVER story this time!!
Official Contest information:

•to enter, please fill out the form below
•entrants must be 13 years of age or older
•contest is international
•the winner will be emailed
•DO NOT PUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, February 17, 2012

Looking forward to....



A whole month of zombie fun!!! Some bloggers, like the Bookish Brunette, are just too cool!

And look! I already have my outfit ready for the virtual celebration! :)



(This was me from two Dragon*Cons ago--Zombie Bo Peep! You can't see it from the pic, but my sheep had a ripped open head with its brain hanging out...Yeah, I did that.)





Did I mention I LURVE ZOMBIES?! So much zombie fun to come this spring as as I launch Tomorrow Land!!! Stay tuned!!!

MARI

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Coming Soon to an eReader near you!




TOMORROW LAND
(originally published as Razor Girl)

To be released digitally by the end of the month.

----
Can true love survive the end of the world?


Imagine finding your first love, only to be ripped apart by the apocalypse. Peyton Anderson will never forget the day she was forced to make a choice--between her family--and Chris Parker, the boy she'd given her heart. And now, four years later, as she steps from the fallout shelter and into a dead and broken world, he's the only thing on her mind.

All Chris "Chase" Parker wanted was to take Peyton away and keep her safe from harm. But he waited for hours in the rain on judgment day and she never showed--breaking his heart without ever telling him why.

Now the two of them have been thrown together once again, reluctant chaperones of a group of orphan children in a post-apocalyptic world where the dead still walk...and feed. As they begin their pilgrimage to the last human outpost on Earth, can they find a way to let go of old hurts and find the love they lost--all the while attempting to save what's left of the human race?

Reviews

"A high-stakes, high-octane tour through a devastating and deftly imagined future. This is Mancusi at the top of her game."

Diana Peterfreund, author of For Darkness Shows the Stars

"An apocalyptic coming of age futuristic romance that does the horror film genre proud."
PNR Reviews

"There is action, there is love and there are zombies. What more can you ask for?"
Book Binge

"Marianne Mancusi has returned with an edgy all-new tale, filled with fast-paced action and a heroine strong enough to mold her own destiny."
--SF Scope


Monday, February 13, 2012

First Kiss Guest Blogger - PJ Sharon - and Giveaway!


To celebrate the release of Skater Boy - the first book in the "First Kiss Club" I've been asking some fellow authors to tell me a first kiss story of their own! This one comes from PJ Sharon, author of the ebook "Heaven is for Heroes" and "On Thin Ice."

And the best part? You can win a copy for yourself along with a $50 Amazon gift card!! Just read her story and see below how to enter! There will be more chances to win each week and the winner will be chosen on the last day of February.

Without further ado...here's Jordie and Alex's first kiss story!! :)

He stood and faced me, a good four inches taller than my 5’10” and looking down at me with a smirk and a stubborn set to his bruised jaw. The green in his eyes sparkled and I felt myself caving already. As soon as he put his hands on my shoulders I knew I was doomed. “I need you to go home and give me a day. Just a day,” he added before I could cut him off with an argument. “I need to do this alone. Let me look over the file and see if it clears up any questions. I promise I’ll call you tomorrow and tell you what I find.”

The unexpected power of his proximity and strength of his hands on my arms made me weak-kneed and unable to stand my ground. And if I wasn’t dissuaded already, I all but swooned when he leaned in and laid a gentle kiss on my forehead. He was fighting dirty and I didn’t care. I soaked in the sensation of his soft lips and the tingle that shimmied all the way to my toes. When he looked down into my eyes, the expression on his face rendered me speechless. All those sharp angles disappeared in a softness that reminded me of warm summer days when he was just a boy, of climbing trees, swimming in the lake and racing to the dock. I could swim in those eyes and never come up for air.

My heart fluttered and my cheeks grew warm, the silence between us filled with a hundred memories and one long moment that could change us both forever. I studied the curve of his lips, imagining how they would taste and feel against mine, willing him to kiss me. I laid my hands tentatively on his chest, struck by the firmness under my fingertips. His heart hammered and mine skipped a beat faster to match his. Breathe, I reminded myself.

He was inches away, his voice barely above a whisper. “No matter what I find in that file, I want you to know…you have given me…well… you helped me find me again, and I’ll never forget it.”

Tears stung behind my eyes and I blinked them back. The intensity built to a thunderous wave crashing in my head, his words touching me deeply. I had to tell him how much he meant to me. I knew it was a terrible risk (a flash coming to mind of the last time I had said the words), but he had to know. “Coop…you know I…”

Before I could say it, he kissed me. Those lips I’d been imagining were suddenly pressed against mine, moist and warm and soft. A groan escaped as my whole body surrendered to the moment, reveled in the contact between us, wanting more than I knew I should. I kissed him back, pressing my body against him and wrapping my arms around his neck to pull him closer. His hands went to the small of my back to hold me there as if I might pull away—an unlikely possibility from where I stood. I had dreamed of this moment since I was old enough to know Alex was the only boy I wanted to kiss. Now I was in his arms, wrapped in the strength, tenderness, and passion I’d always known was Alex.
Whoa! Pretty hot, huh? :) Makes you want to read the rest! Here's how you can get your hands on a copy.

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, CreateSpace

And you can find PJ Sharon online at http://www.pjsharon.com/

About PJ Sharon

PJ Sharon is author of several independently published, contemporary young adult novels, including HEAVEN IS FOR HEROES. Her stories have garnered several contest finals, including two awards for ON THIN ICE, and a place in the prestigious Valley Forge Romance Writers and the Florida Romance Writers Golden Palm contest for SAVAGE CINDERELLA.

Writing romantic fiction for the past six years, and following her destiny to write Extraordinary stories of an average teenage life, PJ is a member of RWA, CTRWA, and YARWA. She is mother to two grown sons and lives with her husband and her dog in the Berkshire Hills of Western MA.

Official Contest information:

•to enter, please fill out the form below
•entrants must be 13 years of age or older
•contest is international
•the winner will be emailed
•DO NOT PUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, February 10, 2012

Go Gamer Girl! YALSA 2012 Popular Paperback pick!


I have to say -- Gamer Girl is definitely proving to be the little book that could! It's been out for a few years now and it's still winning awards! It's latest honor? It was chosen to be a part of the Young Adult Library Service Association's (YALSA) 2012 Popular Paperbacks list! And under an awesome category as well--called "Get Your Geek On!" I couldn't be more proud! And I'm so glad that this will mean more libraries around the country will start carrying this book so more readers can read it!

To find more "Geeky" books, here's the entire list.

Special shout out to awesome librarians Melanie Wachsmann, Kelly Metzger, Kate Toebbe, Sarah Townsend, Lisa Goldstein, Sandy Sumner, and Ellen Loughran for putting Gamer Girl on the list!!

MARI

Thursday, February 09, 2012

Skater Boy on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch!


Just in time for Valentine's Day! Skater Boy is now in the iBookstore -- meaning if you own an iPhone, and iPad or an iPod Touch you can read it through Apple's iBooks ap! Yay! And it's still only $3.99. So what do you have to lose? :)

Here's what the book's about!

SKATER BOY
Dawn Miller is sick of being good. Her parents have scheduled her to within an inch of her life and her popular friends can only think of hooking up and shopping. She's ready for a serious boyfriend, and it's definitely not the obnoxious rich boy everyone wants her to date.

Then she meets Starr, the headmaster's punk rock daughter who refuses to play by the rules. The differences between them are night and day but Dawn is fascinated. Starr introduces her to a world she didn't even know existed: hip indy record stores, all night raves, and cute skateboarders who hang out underneath a parking deck downtown.

Skateboarders like the gorgeous Sean, who's sweet, smart, and curiously serious --everything Dawn's always wanted in a boyfriend. Soon she finds herself head over heels and doing the unthinkable, lying to her parents and friends. Deep down she knows her parents will never approve of this boy from the wrong side of town...and her secret life is finally catching up to her. Will Dawn be forced to choose between the girl she was and the girl she is meant to be? And if she chooses, will she lose her skater boy forever?

MARI

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Blood Coven in Spanish


The Spanish publisher of the Blood Coven series just released the new cover for the Spanish edition of Stake That! Pretty, huh? I like it a lot!

Stake That has had quite a few covers now. Here are a few more:

The original US cover...




The new US cover...



The Blood Coven Vampires Volume 1 Cover (containing both Boys that Bite and Stake That)



The German cover..



And the Japanese cover! (Sorry so small. I need a larger version. It is really cool with manga pictures inside.)



Soon we will have a Bulgarian cover, a Russian cover, a Greek cover, and more!! Go Blood Coven!

Do you have a favorite cover?

MARI

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

New Read Tuesday: Brave New Love



I'm really excited about this new dystopian anthology that's just being released. It says February 14th as the release date, but Amazon's already got them in stock and I've already got my copy on the way.

The antho is called Brave New Love and features stories from some amazing authors--both new and classic--including Jeanne DuPrau (City of Ember), Kiera Cass (The Selection), William Sleator (Interstellar Pig), Jesse Karp (Those That Wake), Diana Peterfreund (Secret Society Girl), Carrie Vaughn (The Kitty Norville Series), and Carrie Ryan (New York Times bestseller The Forest of Hands and Teeth).

While I'm sure all the stories are great, I already have a favorite. Diana Peterfreund shared with me an early draft of her story, "Foundlings" and I just ate it up. I don't want to give too much away, but it deals with teen pregnancy in a world that's not all that far removed from our own. You know how some dystopian stories are set in these crazy societies that you just know could never really exist here on Earth? Well, Diana's setting feels eerily plausible, especially after reading some recent headlines. Even more so, since I first read it when I was pregnant myself, last year. Scary stuff! But, like, in a good, entertaining kind of way!

Anyway, I'm sure all the other stories are equally awesome, so I highly suggest you grab yourself a copy. I'll report back after I get mine in the mail from Amazon.

What are some good dystopian books you've read lately?

MARI

Monday, February 06, 2012

First Kiss Guest Blogger - Danielle Sibarium - and GIVEAWAY!


To celebrate the release of Skater Boy - the first book in the "First Kiss Club" I've been asking some fellow authors to tell me a first kiss story of their own! This one comes from Danielle Sibarium, author of the ebook "For Always." Isn't the cover beautiful? When I saw it was I was instantly intrigued by the book!

And the best part? You can win a copy for yourself along with a $50 Amazon gift card!! Just read her story and see below how to enter! There will be more chances to win each week and the winner will be chosen on the last day of February.

Without further ado...here's Stephanie's first kiss story!! :)
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Thank you Mari for having me as a guest on your blog. This is such an amazing experience! Mari asked me to tell you about my first kiss. I can’t possibly do that without talking about Jordan.

If I live to be a hundred and fifty years old, and suffer from Ahlzhiemer’s, I’ll never forget the first time I kissed Jordan. A shy, freshman in high school, I couldn’t believe my ears when he said hello to me and not my best friend Maria, at the movie theater. The same best friend that had me call Jordan only weeks before to see if he liked her. Of course Maria didn’t know I had a crush on him. That was my secret.

He walked us home after the movie. He had his arm around my shoulder the whole time. I thought it was the highlight of my existence, until we got home. Before heading up the steps to our respective houses right next door to each other, Maria kissed Jordan on the cheek and said goodbye. I started to head up my side of the steps when he called to me.

I turned wondering what he could possibly want. “No goodbye kiss?” He asked. I almost choked. I thought I imagined it. But he stood there, waiting. I half expected to see smoke rising up around us while slow music played in the background. I thought of B-rated movies starring gorgeous actors cast as lovesick teenagers. And there I stood, in my first starring role, the unknown love interest. It was an opportunity I wasn’t about to pass up.

I kissed him on the cheek, said goodbye, and went in the house. I ran to the window and looked out after him. I watched his figure for as far as I could see, growing smaller and smaller in the distance. I went to sleep that night with a smile plastered on my face. In a boy/girl sort of way, Jordan knew I existed!

Oh, you thought I meant a different kind of kiss? A more mature, romantic type of kiss. There were so many times I thought it would happen with Jordan, just to be left confused and frustrated when it didn’t. Like the day of the Smokey bus incident. There is no way he could ever convince me he wasn’t about to kiss me before some jerk next to us slammed his locker closed. And then of course there was the night of the prom, Jordan and I alone on the beach under the moonlight . . . If you want to know if or when we finally did have that all-consuming, earth shattering kiss . . .You’ll just have to read For Always and find out!

If you want to read more about Jordan and I you can find For Always on Amazon or Nook for only $1.99 or visit http://www.daniellesibarium.com/


About "For Always"
You never really get over your first love. Such is the case for fourteen-year-old Stephanie Barrano, self-proclaimed misfit and death magnet. A freshman in high school, Stephanie is befriended by Jordan Brewer, a hot, in-demand senior, who pulls her from the outer circle of obscurity into the realm of acceptance. Jordan quickly works his way into Stephanie’s heart. He’s her everything. And the only person she trusts with the truth about her father’s death. But he won’t act on the strong feelings he has for her. Stephanie vows to wait for him, knowing in time she’ll win his heart.

Two months before her eighteenth birthday, Jordan serves as an impromptu prom date. After sharing a magical evening, Jordan leaves Stephanie with the promise of a future together. Then tragedy strikes. Jordan not only shuts Stephanie out, he also blames her for what happened. Feeling broken and beaten, will she try one last time to get through to Jordan or will she lose him forever?

About Danielle
Danielle Sibarium grew up as an only child of divorced parents in Brooklyn, New York. Her imagination was developed at an early age. Surrounded by stuffed animals and imaginary friends, she transported herself into a fantasy world full of magic and wonder. Books were the gateway between her play world and reality. In 2007 Danielle collaborated with Charlotte Doreen Small to write songs for her CD More. Danielle wrote the lyrics for Take My Hand, and Goodbye, while Charlotte contributed the melody. Danielle graduated from Farleigh Dickinson University with honors, and currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and three children.

Official Contest information:

•to enter, please fill out the form below
•entrants must be 13 years of age or older
•contest is international
•the winner will be emailed
•DO NOT PUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Book People Event!

Friday, February 10th at 7pm, join YA authors Rosemary Clement-Moore, Jordan Dane, P. J. Hoover, Cynthia Leitich Smith, LA Weatherly, and ME for a Valentine's Day party at Book People in Austin for the My Vicious Valentine event! Moderated by Sean Petrie, there will be food, drinks, prizes, and lots of fun!

I'm sooo looking forward to it!!

For more information go to Book People's website!