Monday, December 8, 2014

New Release EYES TURNED SKYWARD by Rebecca Yarros + GIVEWAY!

ETS cover image

Rebecca Yarros
New Adult
Entangled: Embrace Publishing
Release December 8, 2014

I can't even being to tell you how excited I am for this book's release! It is such an amazing read! Here is the link to my full review, but first I figured you'd like to check out the synopsis, excerpt, and INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAY! 

Synopsis

Life's too short to play it safe...

Since her sister's death, twenty-year-old Paisley Donovan, who shares her sister’s heart condition, is treated like delicate glass by her parents. But nothing will stop her from completing her Bucket List—even if it kills her. And it almost does, until Jagger Bateman pulls her from the ocean and breathes more than air into her lungs—he sets her soul on fire.
Jagger is enrolled in the country's toughest flight school. He's wickedly hot, reckless, and perfect for a girl looking to live life to the fullest. Except that Paisley is the commanding general's daughter, and her boyfriend is Jagger's biggest rival. Now Paisley must decide just how much to risk for a guy who makes her heart pound a little too hard.
They're flying through dangerous territory—and one wrong move could make them crash and burn...

Purchase Links


Excerpt

Before it could get any heavier or more awkward, I kicked off my flip-flops into the heavy grass. “Are you ready?”
She peeked behind me at the lake. “Wait, you want to swim here?”
I shrugged. “One of the guys told me about it. It’s secluded, clean, and we have it to ourselves.”
She shook her head and waggled her finger at me. “Oh, no, not here. This is not a good idea.”
I pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it on the hood of my truck. “This is the idea, Paisley. Get your clothes off and get in the water.” Her eyes widened, and I didn’t miss the way she raked her eyes down my chest. Was she a tattoo kind of girl? Or was her boyfriend the clean-cut guy she could take home to her mom? “Does the ink bother you?”
She blinked a few times, then jerked her eyes to my face as her cheeks flushed. “No, not at all.”
I knew what would come next, the inevitable what does it all mean every girl asked. I hadn’t told anyone the real translation of the words that stretched across my chest, arm, back, and abs. Those truths were mine and mine alone. “Let’s swim.”
“No, you don’t understand—”
My patience slipped another notch. She was not getting out of this. “If it makes you feel better, I’ll get in first, but you’d better be right behind me, or I’m throwing your cute little ass in.” I ran at the water, jumping in where it looked deep enough. The cool water slid over my head. I stood, the water coming to my chest. “Get in here.”
“No way.” She shook her head, her eyes wide with fear. “I’ve lived here long enough to know you don’t swim here. Not with George.”
“Who?” I looked left and right. Nothing to be seen but the smooth, barely rippled surface of the water, and the tall reeds that banked it. The mud slid between my toes as I flexed them deeper.
“George. He’s—”
“Stop making excuses and get in the water. I can’t teach you to swim if you’re on land— What the fuck is that?” Two rounded eyes appeared thirty feet away, lingering above the surface of the water...coming this way. Fast.
“Get out!” she shrieked.
I didn’t need to be told twice. I kicked forward, swimming for the shore as fast as I could, wishing I hadn’t come so far out to start with. I made it to the bank and didn’t pause in my headlong flight to the car. I scooped up Paisley, tossed her over my shoulder, and barreled for the door.
I swung the door open and shoved her inside. She scrambled over to her seat as I jumped in mine, slamming the door home. “Seriously! What the fuck?”
We both swiveled our heads toward the shore where a very large, very green alligator ambled out of the water and onto the bank. He opened his mouth wide, like he needed to show me those massive freaking teeth, and snapped his jaw shut.
“That is George,” Paisley said, and she had the audacity to laugh breathlessly. “George is why you don’t swim here.”
“George.”
She reached over the space that separated us, patting my leg like she was soothing a puppy. “It’s okay, tough guy, he doesn’t eat people.”
“He’s an alligator!”
She smirked, the corner of her mouth raising just high enough to start my blood flowing to the area of my body I didn’t need it to. “American alligators don’t eat people. Well, they’re a last resort, really.”
“You screamed at me to get out!”
“Well, I certainly didn’t want you to be his first.” Her green eyes sparkled in laughter.
“And to think you trusted me not to poke fun at you?” She had the nerve to flat-out laugh, and damn it if it wasn’t contagious. My hands flexed on the steering wheel. “You’re a handful of trouble, Paisley.”
“So I’ve been told.” Her smile killed me.



Author Bio

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and lover of all things chocolate, coffee, and Paleo. In addition to being a mom, military wife, and blogger, she can never choose between Young Adult and New Adult fiction, so she writes both. She's a graduate of Troy University, where she studied European history and English, but still holds out hope for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Her blog, The Only Girl Among Boys, has been voted the Top Military Mom Blog the last two years, and celebrates the complex issues surrounding the military life she adores.

When she's not writing, she's tying on hockey skates for her kids, or sneaking in some guitar time. She is madly in love with her army-aviator husband of eleven years, and they're currently stationed in Upstate NY with their gaggle of rambunctious kiddos and snoring English Bulldog, but she would always rather be home in Colorado.

Rebecca is represented by Jamie Bodnar Drowley of Inklings Literary.

Connect with Rebecca

5 Star Review: EYES TURNED SKYWARD by Rebecca Yarros


Just incase you missed the release blog with the giveaway and synopsis, below you'll find the blurb for EYES TURNED SKYWARD by Rebecca Yarros! Followed by my personal review of my favorite read of the year! 

 From Goodreads.com: 

Since her sister's death, twenty-year-old Paisley Donovan, who shares her sister’s heart condition, is treated like delicate glass by her parents. But nothing will stop her from completing her Bucket List—even if it kills her. And it almost does, until Jagger Bateman pulls her from the ocean and breathes more than air into her lungs—he sets her soul on fire.

Jagger is enrolled in the country's toughest flight school. He's wickedly hot, reckless, and perfect for a girl looking to live life to the fullest. Except that Paisley is the commanding general's daughter, and her boyfriend is Jagger's biggest rival. Now Paisley must decide just how much to risk for a guy who makes her heart pound a little too hard.

They're flying through dangerous territory—and one wrong move could make them crash and burn... 


My Review:

You know how really amazing chefs are able to construct dishes that play on each taste-bud and every piece of your pallet? Well, the same concept can be applied to really incredible authors and Rebecca Yarros is one of them. Instead of taste-buds, it's the readers emotions--though she does have a knack for making you want popcorn and m&ms mixed together! If you've read her first book, FULL MEASURES, then this isn't news to you, but I'm here to say that her follow up novel, EYES TURNED SKYWARD, is just as mind blowing.

Yarros touches the heart, pushes your buttons, tests your limits, and fires up all your passion cylinders to capacity. There isn't one note of human emotion that this woman doesn't hit in Eyes Turned Skyward and it doesn't come out looking like you threw everything you had in the fridge into a bowl and then heated it up...no, Yarros's ability to effortlessly weave together complex emotions with fantastic characters and edge of your seat story-lines is absolutely epic. The woman has talent beyond compare and, if I may say, a super awesome collection of wicked hot and swoon worthy male leads! And her female leads never disappoint either, all are strong, confident women you'd love to be friends with or strive to behave like. Hell, Yarros' secondary characters turn out so good, readers demand for their own novels. Hence, Eyes Turned Skyward, starring the delicious Jagger Bateman we all drooled over in Full Measures.

Jagger Bateman. He's the character that made me do a double take in Full Measures and he completely stole my hear in Eyes Turned Skyward. He knows what he wants, will never compromise, and does everything over 100%--even when he unexpectedly falls in love. And watching what first time real love (as opposed to his normal playboy ways) does to him is something to marvel at. It doesn't change him where he is unrecognizable, but does what any real love should, makes him the best version of himself. And watching that arc unfold is incredible.

Paisley Donovan is a breath of fresh air in the leading lady role. She's strong, even when dealt a really terrible hand in life. Sharing the heart condition that killed her sister is like walking around with a ticking time bomb inside of her and her choices on how to handle the situation are incredible. She isn’t going to lay down and die. She isn’t going to let anything stop her from checking off every task on her bucket list. And she sure as hell isn’t going to ignore the passion that Jagger brings into her world--no matter what her parents say. 

Her journey through tragedy is above par and the strength and wisdom she demonstrates is beyond admirable. And when Jagger enters her life, Paisley blossoms...no that's not enough...she damn near explodes with a fire she didn't know possible. He challenges her, elevates her, and treats her like the strong woman she is, not like some piece of glass as everyone else in her life does. 

Their scenes together are a fire risk for sure but what is really wonderful about this novel is Yarros' ability to write from two character point of views and having the reader never wanting to leave either of their heads. Their voices are so distinct, so real, and so engaging that each character makes you root for them and each of their arcs are seamlessly woven together to bring on one amazing climax. 

Eyes Turned Skyward hits every emotional note you have and others you didn't even know existed. The pace keeps you reading late into the night and the chemistry between Jagger and paisley will leave you breathless. And their story will make your heart skip a beat.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

WIN a Slyvia Day Autographed Kindle Case + 2 ebooks!


Wrap your kindle up in something HOT this Holiday Season! Enter below to win a Kindle Case signed by SYLVIA DAY and two ebooks of her's up to $9.99 each! 

My amazing friend--the incredible Author Rebecca Yarros--and myself acquired this smoldering gem at UtopYA 2014! I know, I know, it has been months since the conference actually happened! Well, life happened when I got home, new baby on the way and raising a toddler, writing, editing, critiquing, and then the awesome PitchWars contest...so yes, I’ve had a hard time getting around to this giveaway...please forgive me! But, it’s here now, perfect for the holiday season! 


We were so lucky to not only attend this amazing conference last June, but we also got to hear Sylvia Day give an enchanting speech. I mean, the woman knows her stuff. She imparted so much wisdom in those two hours, I found myself wanting to write down her every word, but resisted the urge in order to really tune in. The most valuable and memorable words of advice that I took away from her is to always place worth on yourself. 


Now this can be a daily struggle for anyone, but for writers, it is also a hard feat to accomplish. Many of us are self-doubters and if anyone ever pays attention to our work, or gasp, likes it, then we’re shocked! Flattered but shocked. And Sylvia Day encouraged us all to not treat being an author as a matter of ‘being lucky enough that someone liked us and wanted to buy our work.’ She urged us to not jump at any offer, just because we feel no one else will ever sign us. To not place such a low worth on ourselves and our work that we take shady deals in the hopes that our books will somehow make it through the muck. She implored us to find our worth, own it, and use it to fuel our passions and channel them into the business side of writing. And that, my friends, is something I’ll never forget. So, thanks to Sylvia Day, we all left that room heads held higher, confidence levels rising, and with the pure sense of camaraderie one can only get when surrounded by like minded individuals. And, hey, bonus! We got to meet the wonderful woman afterward and had her sign this awesome Kindle Case. A sweet present to snuggle below this virtual tree for one of you to win! Just enter the rafflecopter below :) 

US only please!
Happy Reading!!! 



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