Blitz & Giveaway: The Blink Tour

Zondervan's YA Imprint Blink launches...

The Blink Tour!

Each stop on the five-city tour will feature a combination of seven prolific YA authors, including Golden Heart finalist Carey Corp and HonestlyYA blogger Lorie Langdon (DOON); Christy Award finalist Lisa T. Bergren (REMNANTS); co-founder of readergirlz Lorie Ann Grover (FIRSTBORN); Robert Treskillard (THE MERLIN SPIRAL series); Christy Award winner Jill Williamson (THE SAFE LANDS series); and Jonathan Friesen (AQUIFER), whose first YA novel Jerk, California received the ALA Schneider Award.

Events will feature a reading and Q&A, tons of swag up for grabs, and even bigger prizes to win in the grand prize giveaway at every stop.

Can't make it in person?  

Meet the authors on the virtual Prism Tour!

Enter to win copies of each featured book...

Sunday, May 11 - Tour Launch Blitz

Contact PrismBookTours@gmail.com to share this post!

Monday, May 12

 – Tressa @ Tressa's Wishful Endings: Lorie Langdon & Carey Corp: Doon (Doon #1)

   

Tuesday, May 13

- Meet the authors in person at School Events in the Atlanta Area

- Kathy @ I Am A Reader:  Lisa Tawn Bergren: Season of Wonder (Remnants #1)

    

Wednesday, May 14 

- 6:00 pm at THE BOOKSELLERS AT LAURELWOOD, 387 Perkins Road Extended, Memphis, TN 38117. Robert Treskillard,  Lorie Anne Grover ,  Jonathan Freisen

- Amber @ The Wonderings of One Person: Robert Treskillard The Merlin Spiral Series: Merlin’s Blade, Merlin’s Shadow, Merlin’s Nightmare

  

Thursday, May 15 

- 7:00 – 9:00 pm at SALT LAKE CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 210 East 400 South, Conference Room A, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.  Lorie Ann Grover,  Jill Williamson,  Jonathan Freisen,  Lisa T. Bergren

– Bonnie @ A Backwards Story: Lorie Ann Grover: Firstborn

   

Friday, May 16 

- School Events in the Phoenix Area
– Laura @ Colorimetry: Jill Williamson: The Safe Lands Series: Captives & Outcasts

  

Saturday, May 17

- 4:00 pm at CHANGING HANDS, 6428 S McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85283. Lorie Ann Grover, Jill Williamson, Jonathan Freisen,  Lisa T. Bergren.

Sunday, May 18 

– Lisa @ Bookworm Lisa: Jonathan Friesen: Aquifer

 

About Blink: Blink brings true stories and fiction to YA readers. The literature published by Blink is a positive reflection of what is inspiring and heartening while maintaining a tradition of imaginative and exciting storytelling that will bring readers to the edge of their seats, immerse them in a heartrending love story, or engross them in a story of a life well-lived. Readers will see themselves in all facets of Blink’s literature and will find new levels of entertainment that enrich and uplift. For more information please visit http://blinkyabooks.com/ or visit us on facebook and Twitter.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/blinkyabooks

Tumblr: http://blinkyabooks.tumblr.com/

Tour-Wide Giveaway

May 11 - 27, 2014
Must be old enough to enter (see Rafflecopter). USA/Canada only. 6 Winners!!

Merlin’s Blade, Merlin’s Shadow, and Merlin’s Nightmare (Paperbacks)

Captives & Outcasts (Paperbacks)

Doon (Hardcover)

Firstborn (Hardcover)

Aquifer (Hardcover)

Season of Wonder (Hardcover)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go HERE.

Are you an author or publisher and would like to have us organize a tour event? Go HERE.

The Treatment by Suzanne Young

Author: Suzanne Young
Title: The Treatment
Series: The Program #2
Publication: April 29th 2014 
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Website

Can Sloane and James survive the lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? Find out in this sequel to The Program, which Publishers Weekly called “chilling and suspenseful.”

How do you stop an epidemic?

Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.

Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.

Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end?

I actually think I liked the first book better, this one was okay but didn't grab me as much as book one. Sloane and James are on the run and come in contact with a group of rebels in hopes of putting an end to the evils of the Program. What I did like is that more insight is given to the beginnings of the Program and why now it's hurt more than helped the epidemic. The doctors go to extremes to keep it all hush from the public but what going on in the facilities to those that have escaped and been recaptured is horrifying. Sloane and James have become world news because they managed to get away and that makes the Program look bad, so they become priority one in being taken in and fixed. The emotional aspect between James and Sloane becomes strained and angsty. There is much uncertainty and jealousy simmering under the surface. Ovearall, this is a good conclusion to the story.  

The Ring and the Crown by Melissa de la Cruz

Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Title: The Ring & The Crown
Series:  The Ring & The Crown #1
Publication: April 4, 2014
Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Website

Princess Marie-Victoria, heir to the Lily Throne, and Aelwyn Myrddn, bastard daughter of the Mage of England, grew up together. But who will rule, and who will serve? 

Quiet and gentle, Marie has never lived up to the ambitions of her mother, Queen Eleanor the Second, Supreme Ruler of the Franco-British Empire. With the help of her Head Merlin, Emrys, Eleanor has maintained her stranglehold on the world's only source of magic. She rules the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. 

But even with the aid of Emrys' magic, Eleanor's extended lifespan is nearing its end. The princess must marry and produce an heir or the Empire will be vulnerable to its greatest enemy, Prussia. The two kingdoms must unite to end the war, and the only solution is a match between Marie and Prince Leopold VII, heir to the Prussian throne. But Marie has always loved Gill, her childhood friend and soldier of the Queen's Guard. 

Together, Marie and Aelwyn, a powerful magician in her own right, come up with a plan. Aelwyn will take on Marie's face, allowing the princess to escape with Gill and live the quiet life she's always wanted. And Aelwyn will get what she's always dreamed of--the chance to rule. But the court intrigue and hunger for power in Lenoran England run deeper than anyone could imagine. In the end, there is only rule that matters in Eleanor's court: trust no one.

When I began this book, the different perspectives sorta threw me off but once I got into the flow of the story and understood the connections between the characters narratives, I loved it. This story is more than just about two girls contemplating treason but so much back-stabbing,and deceit with a hint of mystery and magic. Marie seems like she a quiet character, who has been sick her whole life. She doesn't want to a leader but would rather live a simple life with the person she loves. Aelwyn is more outspoken and brings her fiery personality to the story, she would love to switch places with the princess and one moment she may get her chance yet there is more going on in their world than the desires of a princess and a magician. I liked how the story moves through each characters' perspective. As events began to escalate, I was continuously guessing trying to figure out who was responsible for what happens. Each character gradually grows and changes throughout the story and the world building is believable and realistic. Overall, this a fantastic read and I'm excited to have discovered a new author. 

Waiting on Wednesday #60: Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater 

Expected Release: October 2014

No Synopsis:The third installment in the mesmerizing series from the irrepressible, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.

So excited! 
What book are you looking forward to reading?

Review & Giveaway: Torn Away by Jennifer Brown

Author: Jennifer Brown
Title: Torn Away
Publication: May 6, 2014
Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: Blog Tour/Netgalley

Synopsis via Goodreads:
Born and raised in the Midwest, Jersey Cameron knows all about tornadoes. Or so she thinks. When her town is devastated by a twister, Jersey survives -- but loses her mother, her young sister, and her home. As she struggles to overcome her grief, she's sent to live with her only surviving relatives: first her biological father, then her estranged grandparents.

In an unfamiliar place, Jersey faces a reality she's never considered before -- one in which her mother wasn't perfect, and neither were her grandparents, but they all loved her just the same. Together, they create a new definition of family. And that's something no tornado can touch.

This story touches home because I lived in one of the places that got hit by tornadoes in 2011. I can completely understand Jersey fear of storms now. She loses everything she's known and the one person that she thought would stand by her pushes her away. I don't like how her step father, Ronnie treats her, it was selfish of him to only think of his grief. Jersey moves in with her estranged father, Clay's parents and they treat her like the ugly step child. Only one person shows her some sympathy and that's her aunt Terry but even she doesn't help her much. She discovers she has two sisters Meg and Lexie, who are absolutely retched girls, who are horrible to Jersey the entire time. The grandparents are disgusting people as well as her father Clay and his wife Tonette. Things get so bad that she contemplates running away hoping she can reach her step father to change his mind about keeping her. Jersey has a lot of hurt, anger, and resentment but she gradually begins to see that the truth isn't what she thought and maybe she has an opportunity to begin again. Overall, I liked this story because it's one that I can identify with and I think others will as well because of the emotional aspect.

Excerpt

Growing up, we were taught over and over again what steps to take in case of an approaching tornado. Listen for sirens, go to your basement or cellar, or a closet in the center of your house, duck and cover, wait it out. We had drills twice a year, every year, in school. We talked about it in class. We talked about it at home. The newscasters reminded us. We went to the basement. We practiced, practiced, practiced. 

But we'd never-not once-discussed what to do after.

I think we never thought it would be an after like this one.

It seemed like forever before the rain and wind stopped. It was still gray around me, but the sky had lightened up enough that I could see fine without a flashlight, which I'd dropped in my scramble to the pool table. 

Kolby. I would go get Kolby. See if he could call my mom from his phone. Slowly, I uncurled myself and, after a moment of hesitation, slid out from under the table and sat up.
At the opposite end of the basement, where Ronnie's workbench normally sat, there was no ceiling. The floor I had been standing on while rummaging for a flashlight just fifteen minutes before was now buried in a dusty pile of rubble-what used to be our kitchen, except the table was gone and the walls were gone and the plates had fallen out of their cabinets, which were also gone, and now lay in a heap on the concrete basement floor.
What was worse-I could see the sky where the kitchen used to be. Wires and broken pipes jutted out here and there. Water gushed from somewhere.
"Oh my God," I said, pulling myself up to standing, unsure whether my wobbly legs would keep me that way. "Oh my God."
I took a few steps to the rubble. The closer I got, the more sky I could see. The kitchen walls, they were gone. Completely and totally gone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Two-time winner of the Erma Bombeck Global Humor Award (2005 & 2006), Jennifer's weekly humor column appeared in The Kansas City Star for over four years, until she gave it up to be a full-time young adult novelist. Jennifer writes and lives in the Kansas City, Missouri area, with her husband and three children.
Website | Twitter | Facebook

US ONLY
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blitz& Giveaway:Dead Girl Walking by Ruth Silver

DEAD GIRL WALKING by Ruth Silver

a Young Adult Paranormal Adventure

published by Patchwork Press

http://royalreaper.com

Forget everything you know about grim reapers.

Princess Ophelia Dacre sneaks out of the castle to visit her boyfriend in secret. A perfect night cut short when she’s brutally murdered.

Ophelia is given the rare chance to become a grim reaper. She must become Leila Bele, cut ties with her old life, and follow the rules of the reapers. Her greatest adventure begins with death.

Amazon - Borrow Dead Girl Walking for FREE with Amazon Prime

Signed Copy

Goodreads

Excerpt

“Forget everything you know about grim reapers, Ophelia. Humans have it wrong. It’s easier to believe in angels and demons, than to see what’s right in front of you. Who wants to believe the undead walk among us with beating hearts? It would frighten humans. It would probably send many to their graves faster,” Edon said.

About the Author: Ruth Silver is the best-selling author of ABERRANT, a young adult dystopian adventure series published by Patchwork Press and Lazy Day Publishing. Silver attended Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor's in Communication in the spring of 2005. While in college, she spent much of her free time writing with friends she met online and penning her first novel, Deuces are Wild, which she self-published in 2004. Her love of writing led her on an adventure in 2007 to Melbourne, Australia. Silver enjoys reading, photography, traveling and most of all writing. She loves dystopian, paranormal, and fantasy young adult stories. Ruth has been actively writing since she was a teenager. She currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday #59: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Heir of Fire by Sarh J. Maas

Expected Release: September 2014

Goodreads Synopsis
Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien's only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan's Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. 

Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King's Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan's biggest threat - and his own toughest enemy. 

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love? 

This third novel in the Throne of Glass sequence, from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, is packed with more heart-stopping action, devastating drama and swoonsome romance, and introduces some fierce new heroines to love and hate.

So excited! 
What book are you looking forward to reading?