Angela Corbett's 'Eternal Starling' Book Blast Giveaway

Synopsis:
 

A love so strong, even eternity can’t separate them. Evie Starling has lived a relatively uneventful life hanging out with friends, gossiping about boys, and driving her 1966 Mustang.

All of that changes when she moves to Gunnison, Colorado, to start college and meets two mysterious men. For centuries, Alex Night and Emil Stone have yearned for Evie but they each have their own reasons for wanting to be with her. When both men claim to be her soul mate and tell her about an unbelievable past, Evie learns that she s not the person she thought she was. Soon, Evie finds herself in the middle of an age-old battle between the Amaranthine Society the soul protectors, and the Daevos Resistance the soul destroyers. With a past she doesn t understand, and a future rife with danger, Evie has to decide who she can trust. But Alex and Emil aren t the only ones who want Evie, and her soul is about to become the rope in an eternal tug-of-war.

About Author:
 

As a child, Angela Corbett’s most prized possession was a set of read-along books. She used to follow along with the narrator on the stereo and dream of when she would be able to read by herself. Her childhood reading habit led her to consider her future career. However, after consulting with her parents, she realized she had already exceeded hobbit height and since fairies and dragonslayers were tricky jobs to get, she decided she wanted to create worlds of her own. She started writing poetry in elementary school and worked as a journalist in high school and college, but could never leave her love for writing fiction behind.

She is a graduate of Westminster College where she double majored in communication and sociology. She has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and director of communications and marketing. She loves classic cars, traveling, and escaping in a good book. She lives in Utah with her incredibly supportive husband and their five-pound Pomeranian, Pippin, whose following of fangirls could rival Justin Bieber’s.

Eternal Starling is her debut novel and the first book in the Emblem of Eternity trilogy.

 

Giveaway:
 

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Review of Lauren Myracle's 'The Infinite Moment of Us'

 

Title: The Infinite Moment of Us

Author: Lauren Myracle

Publication Date: August 27, 2013

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

 

For as long as she can remember, Wren Gray’s goal has been to please her parents. But as high school graduation nears, so does an uncomfortable realization: Pleasing her parents once overlapped with pleasing herself, but now... not so much. Wren needs to honor her own desires, but how can she if she doesn’t even know what they are?

Charlie Parker, on the other hand, is painfully aware of his heart’s desire. A gentle boy with a troubled past, Charlie has loved Wren since the day he first saw her. But a girl like Wren would never fall for a guy like Charlie—at least not the sort of guy Charlie believes himself to be.

 

And yet certain things are written in the stars. And in the summer after high school, Wren and Charlie’s souls will collide. But souls are complicated, as are the bodies that house them...

 

Sexy, romantic, and oh-so-true to life, this is an unforgettable look at first love from one of young adult fiction’s greatest writers.
 

My Review:

So to be blunt about it, this book was pretty lame and left me wanting so much more. I was really excited too because of how pretty the cover is (silly, I know). It was an ok love story, but the author tried so hard to make it more deep than it actually was. It came across as forced and a little phony. 

It's a love story between Wren and Charlie. Wren is a goodie goodie who has never had a boyfriend. Charlie is a foster kid with a sad past and desperate to find someone to love that won't hurt him. They sort of know each other from school, but not very well. Through a few chance happenings they become close and Wren realizes Charlie has had a crush on her for a long time. They end up dating, but Wren is supposed to leave the country soon to do volunteer work and Charlie is supposed to start college soon. They have to both figure out just how important their relationship is. 

First off I want to say that I really couldn't stand Wren. She's obnoxious, lacks common sense, and does the dumbest things throughout the book. It reached a point where I just stopped caring about her at all, and it's quite difficult to like a book when you don't give a crap about the main character. Charlie was sweet and very nice, but also very stupid and naive. He wasn't nearly as bad as Wren, but he wasn't that great either. 

The story itself was slow moving and nearly non-existent. The characters fell in love and had some arbitrary problems that were in no way interesting. It was almost like the author thought: well, it doesn't really matter that very little actually happens in the book as long as I put in some generic, deep sounding thoughts for each of the characters. It might have even worked if the deep thoughts hadn't been so damned shallow. 

It seems to me Lauren Myracle is trying to be the next John Green (who can pull off a fairly simple plot with deep meaning and hilarious dialogue), but it just isn't happening. The book was fairly well written, but the story and characters sucked, it took forever for me to get through, and the morals and ideas were obvious regurgitated crap. Yeah, we get that we are greater than the sum of our parts. That's not a new concept and you don't have to keep saying it over and over again in different words!

Wow, that was kind of harsh, but seriously, this book has few redeeming qualities, and I'm irritated that I wasted my time on it. Don't let the cover fool you, skip this one!!

My Rating:

Giveaway Saturday: Emmy Laybourne's 'Monument 14'

I've decided Saturdays are now Giveaway Saturdays on Book Cracker Caroline. I will be posting a giveaway every Saturday. This week's giveaway is for a paperback copy of  Emmy Laybourne's Monument 14.

 

Your mother hollers that you’re going to miss the bus. She can see it coming down the street. You don’t stop and hug her and tell her you love her. You don’t thank her for being a good, kind, patient mother. Of course not—you launch yourself down the stairs and make a run for the corner.

 

Only, if it’s the last time you’ll ever see your mother, you sort of start to wish you’d stopped and did those things. Maybe even missed the bus.

But the bus was barreling down our street, so I ran.

Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong. 

  

In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.

 

 

*This is a US only Giveaway*

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S.K. Anthony's 'Kinetic' Book Blitz: Excerpt & 2 Giveaways

Kinetic by S.K. Anthony
Series: The Luminaries, #1
Publication Date:  September 2013
Genre: New Adult Urban Fantasy

Synopsis:
 

Being strong is one thing. Being an unlimited source of power is quite another.

Genetically altered by the Organization, Annie Fox takes down criminals CIA-style with her luminary strength. With nothing to mend but her broken heart, she is relentlessly pursued by her boss Derek Lake. Just when Annie is about to give him a chance, her ex-husband unexpectedly comes out of hiding.

A wanted man, Nick Logan is a cold-hearted murderer who is considered enemy number one, and orders are clear: kill on contact. He is more powerful than ever and threatens the lives of those she holds most dear. His plan? Get his hands on Annie and use her Kinetic energy to destroy them all. When Annie finds herself with an opportunity to end him, she pauses, horrified by the scars covering the face she once loved. A split second that will cost her everything…

 

Click here to view on Goodreads.

 
AUTHOR BIO:

S. K. Anthony is a writer, a reader and a make-stuff-up-er who lives in New York with her husband and toddler twins. She is a wine connoisseur, which just really means she knows she loves it, and a caffeine addict. When she isn’t busy with her family she finds herself being transported into the world of imagination. Well, either that or running away from spiders…she is convinced they are out to get her!

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

Excerpt:

I stooped down and back-elbowed him across his jaw. His head fell sideways, but not for long, he turned to watch me but said nothing. I got up and slammed a good kick to his side. He winced but remained silent.

 

“What are you up to?” I demanded.

 

“Killing.”

 

“Why?”

 

He smiled. “It’s fun.”

 

“I’m about to call Derek, but I’d like to know what you’re after first.”

 

“Let me go,” he said.

 

“Oh… you’re hilarious.”

 

“You’ll regret keeping me here, Annie. I can’t afford to be captured right now.”

 

“Oh, RIGHT, what was I thinking? I should have called ahead to schedule an appointment for your capture. I just didn’t have your number!” I watched him in disbelief.

 

“I don’t have email or Twitter either. You know why?” His lip twitched. “I can’t have followers.”

 

I heard a chuckle from behind.

 

“Really, Beth? You’re going to encourage him?”

 

“What? No, it was just… I thought it was… funny,” she finished saying in a low voice.

 

I turned back to Nick and was about to grab his neck when I realized being that close to him would not be a good idea. If I allowed myself to get that close to him, he could hypnotize me to let him go, so instead, I kicked him.

 

“Now you’re just doing this for spite,” he said.

 

“Yes.” I kicked him again. “You started it at Worldsafe.”

 

“What are you, ten? I pinch you, you pinch me? Actually, I wouldn’t mind pinching you…” I was about to slam him again. “No, stop. Stop! Your kicks are more painful than mine. Stop it.”

 

“Any more requests? It seems you think you’re in charge here,” I said.

 

“Just, wait, all right? Don’t call Derek. Don’t let anyone know I’m here,” Nick begged.

 

“Scared?” I smirked.

 

 

 Giveaways:

 
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Skye Callahan's 'Fractured Legacy' Book Blitz: Excerpt & Giveaway

Fractured Legacy by Skye Callahan
(Darkness Bound #1)
Publication Date: October 22nd, 2013
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

 

 

Synopsis:

 

Kaylyn Anderson's fascination with abandoned places and dark creatures kindled her work as a paranormal investigator. But when dreams begin to distort reality, she questions what is real and pulls away from everyone she trusts. The opportunity to investigate the Teague Hotel--a long-abandoned landmark that has always piqued her curiosity--provides a chance to redeem herself. Unraveling the hotel's secrets won't be easy, but Kaylyn soon finds herself the target of a dark entity that has been trapped in the building for decades. 

If Kaylyn stands any hope of defeating the spirit, she'll have to accept that her fears are real and convince fellow investigators that she hasn't lost her mind.

Goodreads | Pinterest | Chapter 1 & 2 |Giveaway

AUTHOR BIO:
 

Skye Callahan was born and raised in Ohio and has seen enough unbelievable stuff to feed a lifetime of paranormal stories. When not writing or working at the dayjob she hangs out with her ethnomusicologist husband and pet ferrets, reads, and takes long walks through the cemetery. 

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog

Excerpt:
 

Kaylyn pulled the covers over her head as if they could block out the ruckus threatening her sleep. After another series of knocks on the front door, she was left in silence again. That wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

She held her breath.

Sure enough, a floorboard creaked, then her sister’s voice rang out. “Come on Kay. You can’t avoid me when I have a key. We’re going to be late.”

“Go away, Cole. I’m sick.”

“Bull shit. If anything you’re hung over.”

“I haven’t had a drink in weeks.” Although at the moment, she thought, I’d kill for one…or several. “We’ve worked for Carlisle for more than three years, he won’t—”

“We have a meeting. Mr. Edwards. Historical Society. Wooden box engraved with occult symbols. Ring a bell?”

Oh yeah. Kaylyn groaned as she flipped the covers off her head. Her younger sister stood over the side table, leaning against the inside of the doorway. A crisp pink collar peeked out from the top of her dark grey pea coat, paired with matching grey slacks.

Always overdressed, Kaylyn thought, especially for a job that often had them crawling in dank and dusty places. She pulled herself up, balancing precariously on the edge of the bed before forcing her body to move toward the closet.

“If you don’t hurry up, the cappuccinos will get cold.”

“You know I prefer it that way.” Kaylyn said as she pulled some moderately business-casual clothes out of the clean clothes pile and headed into the bathroom.

“Weirdo,” Cole called after her.

Kaylyn was thankful for the brief moment of silence as she pulled on a pair of black jeans and a blue long-sleeved V-neck. She smoothed out the wrinkles in the shirt then focused on her matted hair, sweeping it up into a low ponytail.

“Come on, sis, we’re supposed to be there at 9:30,” Cole yelled, smacking the bathroom door.

Three days until the weekend, she promised her reflection.Then nothing is stopping me from sleeping as long as I want.

Nothing except the dreams.

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Frankie Ash's 'Eramane' Book Blitz: Interview & Giveaway

Eramane by Frankie Ash
(Eramane Trilogy, #1)
Publication Date: Summer, 2013 

by Archway Publishing
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

 

 

Synopsis:
 

In the village of Eludwid, seventeen-year-old Eramane Fahnestock goes about her life, cheerfully disregarding a prophecy made to her parents that she would have a great gift. Not yet wed and beset with boredom, Eramane cannot shake the feeling that something exciting awaits her beyond Eludwid. But when she is invited to picnic with a handsome young suitor, Eramane has no idea that her life will soon change forever.

As Eramane prepares for her date, she is suddenly hypnotized by a strange voice that tells her he will be coming for her that night. Unsettled but determined to press forward, Eramane and her suitor, Lebis, head to the woods to enjoy their picnic. As darkness falls on the forest, however, a beast emerges, transforming their beautiful outing into a terrifying scene. Taken captive and carried away to a mountain hideaway, Eramane finds her memories are soon clouded, even as her family frantically searches for her back home.

In this gripping fantasy tale, evil is summoned to the mountaintop, forcing a young woman to discover her magical gifts and exact revenge against a beast determined to destroy everything she has ever loved.

 

Click here to view on Goodreads.

Click here to purchase on Amazon.


AUTHOR BIO:

 

Frankie Ash is the author of the YA novel Eramane, COMING SOON! She holds a B.A. in English and resides on the east-coast somewhere between “Will it ever be warm again?” and “The summers here are too short!” She is currently writing book #2 of The Eramane Trilogy, to be published in 2014.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

Interview:

What inspired you to write ERAMANE?

I really don’t remember. It was over ten years ago when the idea popped in my head. I think I was driving in my car. But that’s the awesome thrill of being a writer, when those great ideas just peek-a-boo in on you.

 

What are some of your favorite books/authors?

The Hobbit, anything from Poe or King, I added a new fav when I readThe Hunger Games, Ann Rice has a special place in my heart, and I read every single R.L Stein book I could get my hands on when I was a kid.

 

How did you get in to writing?

From reading, there is something about a really great book that takes hold of you and won’t let go, and you find yourself thinking, “Man, I want tocreate something that awesome too!”

What do you like to do other than write?

I love listening to music and hanging with my family. I like catching a movie here and there. I really like to drink coffee and think about writing. Umm, does that count?

 

Did you listen to music when you wrote ERAMANE, and if so, who were some of the artists?

I sure did. But the experience of music is so individual, and tagging Eramane with the music that helped inspire me to write it might spoil the experience for others. It might not be that big of a deal, I don’t know.

 

How long did it take to write ERAMANE?

Well like I said, the idea came to me over ten years ago. I began writing immediately but not steadily. I didn’t actually finish it until 2005. Then I sat on it for several years before deciding to publish. And there were some developmental changes made during the editing process, but for the most part my initial story remained. So in short…haha…about 13 years. Don’t worry though; book two is moving along at a much faster rate.

 

Did you have the whole trilogy planned before you began writing book #1?

Not even close. I know how I want ERAMANE to end, and I know certain things that I want to happen in the story, certain things that have to happen, and with that I will take her to the end…the path is plotted daily.

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Terah Edun's 'The Courtlight Series' Book Blitz: Excerpt & 2 Giveaways

 

BOOK 1

Sworn to Raise by Terah Edun
Publication Date: April 10th 2013
by Amazon Digital
Genre: YA Fantasy

 

Synopsis:

 

Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the kingdom. But beneath her kingdom’s seemingly idyllic surface lies a  hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder—intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.

Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companion’s Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she’d never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.

But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.

This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with remarkable characters and unforgettable magic. Sworn To Raise is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder.

 

Click here to view on Goodreads.

Click here to purchase on Amazon.

Click here to purchase on Barnes & Noble.

 

 

 

BOOK 2

Sworn to Transfer by Terah Edun
Publication Date: September 20th 2013
by Amazon Digital
Genre: YA Fantasy

 

Synopsis:

 

Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. With the death of the Princess Heir, the Ameles forest - the home of the kith, is dying.


The inhabitants of the forest, magic-wielding non-humans, are defiant. They have not forgotten their long struggles nor are they content to watch as the last of their lands perish. As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns.

With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city’s nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she’s given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question.

To keep the Companions’ Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she’s faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.

This second novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Raise.

 

Click here to view on Goodreads.

Click here to purchase on Amazon.

Click here to purchase on Barnes & Noble.

 

AUTHOR BIO:
 

Terah Edun is an international development professional and author/lover of all things Young Adult Fantasy fiction. She is a native Georgian, adoptive Washingtonian, unrepentant expat currently living in South Sudan, brilliant dreamer, lover of dogs and not-so-closet geek. Her first novel, Red Madrassa, was released on November 8thand her second novel, Sworn to Raise, comes out in April 2013.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Excerpt:

 A night wolf came barreling out of the forest, snarling and white teeth bared in the moonlight. It hit Meres—or, rather, it tried to. His sword gleamed as it arced through the air to slice into the night wolf’s chest. The wolf howled in pain and kept coming. Two others emerged from the trees and ranged around their small group, preparing to attack. Meres began to speak, not in the language of humans but in the language of beasts.

He was trying to reason with the wolves. It wasn’t working.

Vana edged forward. “Alexandra, take the one closest to you. I’ll take care of the other two.”

Vana gathered magic and shot the arrow in her bow. It splitin two. Not when it hit its target, but before. The split arrow had reformed into two perfect arrows. One arrow angled left and the other angled right to target the two remaining night wolves. Ciardis was expecting the arrows to inflict a small wound on the large wolves. They were the size of horses, with heads as large as oxen’s heads. She didn’t think they’d go down easy. She was wrong.

The wolves were thrown back into the woods. Ciardis heard distinct thumps and yelps as they landed. Without pause, Vana knocked a second arrow as she waited for them to return.

Giveaways:

 

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Giveaway Saturday: Katie McGarry's 'Crossing the Line'

I've decided Saturdays are now Giveaway Saturdays on Book Cracker Caroline. I will be posting a giveaway every Saturday. This week's giveaway is for an eBook copy of  Katie McGarry's Crossing the Line. 

 

 

Katie McGarry captivated readers with her “riveting, emotional”* Young Adult debut, Pushing the Limits. In this gripping novella, she tells the story of Lila and Lincoln, who discover that sometimes it’s worth crossing the line for love…

Lila McCormick, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.

 

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Lee Strauss's 'Contrition' Book Blitz: Excerpt & 2 Giveaways

 

Contrition by Lee Strauss
(Perception #3)
Publication Date: September 26th 2013
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Synopsis:
 

Zoe, Noah and the other plane crash survivors are stranded in the Arizona desert.
They all have secrets,
and reasons to hide.
But they’re not alone.
Cyborg soldiers.
War.
Humans and humanoids.
Who can be trusted?
Zoe’s life is in danger.
Noah must make an impossible choice.
Will their love survive their brokenness?
Will the world as they know it end before they can find out?

 

Click here to add on Goodreads.

 

Book 1 in the series, Perception, is currently free.

 

Click here to view on Goodreads.

 

Click here to order book on Amazon.

 

Click here to order book on Barnes & Noble.

 

 Book 2 in the series:

 

Click here to view on Goodreads.

 

 

AUTHOR BIO:

 

 

Lee Strauss writes historical and science fiction/romance for upper YA and adult readers. She also writes light and fun stuff under the name Elle Strauss. To find out more about Lee and her books check out her facebook page. Follow her on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/elle_strauss to find out about new releases sign up for her newsletter at www.ellestraussbooks.com

 

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Excerpt:
 

But Taylor wasn’t an idiot. He moved to catch my eyes. “It’s lonely here, Zoe. Mary’s hot and all, especially with her badass gig going on—you know, when she’s not laid out with busted ribs—but she’s not like us.”

Not like us. Taylor was the only other GAP here. His parents had had him genetically altered before they’d died in a car crash. Before they’d had a chance to have the procedure done to his sister. Before he and Hannah had been adopted by cult relatives.

“I think we need more than just that in common to make something work,” I said. I’d had a GAP boyfriend before, and that relationship had been a disaster on so many levels.

“Okay, like what?” Taylor smirked. “Physical attraction? Check. Intelligence compatibility? Check. Marooned on a desert rock? Check.”

I smiled. Taylor was right about all those things. I did find him attractive and intelligent. It was what had gotten me into trouble at the commune. All that and his charisma had charmed me into kissing him.

It was the kiss of death for my tenuous relationship with Noah. I’d apologized a million times since and had done everything short of begging Noah to let me back in. Actually, I had begged. He’d stubbornly insisted that his lack of GAP status was reason enough for us to stay apart.

That and the fact that he no longer trusted me. Or trusted in my memories of him. Memories lost prior to our stint at the commune, thanks to dear ol’ Grandpa V, who’d stolen them from me.

Taylor wasn’t wrong, though. Sharing GAP status did mean something. I wouldn’t have to worry about him cutting out on me because of that, using it as an excuse to leave. To stay away. I longed for a commitment that went beyond just looking out for my physical safety. And he was charming and cute.

But I couldn’t deny what my heart wanted and right now it wanted Noah Brody.

Taylor could read the conflict on my face. “Come on, Zoe. Don’t waste time waiting for him. He’s moved on.”

My heart stopped when he said that. The truth hurt. He might or might not have moved on to Mary, but it was pretty obvious he wanted to move on from me. I pinched my eyes shut, but a lone tear escaped. Taylor’s finger ran along my cheek, scooping it up. I gasped at his gentle touch. I might be pining for Noah, but I couldn’t deny that I also had feelings for Taylor Blake.

Taylor’s mouth moved to my ear, and I trembled when his hot breath caressed my neck.

“He’s not worth it.”

Noah’s voice chimed in. “Am I interrupting?”

 Giveaways:

 

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