Tour Stop: You Are Mine by Janeal Falor

You Are Mine (Mine #1) by Janeal Falor
Release Date: May 6, 2013
Series: Mine #1
Pages: 273
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance

Goodreads Summary:

Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts. Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.

Purchase: Barnes & Noble / Amazon / Kobo

This Book is on Sale Now for $.99!! 

Advanced Praise for You Are Mine:

“I was blown away by the beautiful writing, haunting themes, and chilling visuals.” ~Becca at Nawanda Files 

“There were times when I had to fight back my tears and the emotion that this book drew from me made me feel so connected to what was going on as if I was actually there. You Are Mine should be on everyones to-read list and I cannot wait to see what Janeal Falor comes up with next.” ~Danielle at Coffee and Characters

“May I kiss you now?”

 No. Kisses leave me feeling sick. “I suppose it would be for the best.”

 He leans closer. I want to pull away. Thomas's kisses were callous. Painful even. The thought of more of that makes me feel queasy. But giving my permission somehow makes it harder to pull away.

His hand reaches up and brushes my face. Flecks of gold are mixed with the green of his eyes. Suddenly, he scoops me into his arms and plops me on his lap. I yelp. “Sorry, I guess I should have warned you first.” 

After straightening my skirt with quivering fingers, I hold myself stiff. His nose nuzzles against the side of my neck. Warm lips brush my jaw and sweep along my cheek until they reach the corner of my mouth. My breath comes in shallow gasps. He smells lightly of citrus.

I don't move. His fingers tangle in my hair. His lips hover over mine. A nervous flutter grows in my chest. The creak of the door opening spurs him into action.

His lips touch mine. Flowing and sunny. They grow firmer. It feels so much better than I thought it could. His fingers run through my hair, the tendrils falling out of their confinement. Heat grows between us. He pulls me closer to him. Not only do I manage to refrain from fighting him, but I want to draw even closer.

Janeal Falor lives in Utah where she’s finally managed to live in the same house for more than five years without moving. In her spare time she reads books like they’re nuts covered in caramel and chocolate, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and enjoys the outdoors. Her husband and three children try to keep up with her overactive imagination. Usually they settle for having dinner on the table, even if she’s still going on about the voices in her head.

Author Connect: Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Website

***GIVEAWAY*** 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Saved By The Music by Selene Castrovilla

Saved By The Music by Selene Castrovilla
My rating: 2.5 of 5 genies
Published: May 13, 2013
Series: N/A
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Westside Books
Source: Review Copy
Pages: 280
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

Goodreads Summary
The last place fifteen-year-old Willow wants to spend her summer is on a run-down former coffee barge, which her aunt is converting into a floating concert hall. In Saved by the Music, Willow thinks she’s alone until she meets Axel, an older teen who lives isolated from the world on the sailboat docked nearby. An unlikely romance sparks as the two grapple with their darkest secrets and bond through shared pain and laughter. It is a summer where music must do more than just soothe the soul.

My Thoughts

The most unique thing about this book is its setting. The barge, or where fifteen year old Willow ends up spending the summer is cool because her aunt plans to make it a concert hall of sorts, an intimate setting for people looking to enjoy music to come together and relax, truly appreciating the music. Willow ends up getting wrapped up in the repair and restoration of the weathered boat and as she works to reconstruct it she discovers more about herself. It is also a tale of self-discovery and heart, the importance of family and how the influence of these all-important people in our lives can either help grow or break us.

Furthermore this book reminded me of just how beautiful the sea is. I thought the docks with the barge and fishermen was the right setting for Saved by the Music. It was realistic with its portrayal of wealth disparity, some parts of the docks being wealthier than others, and everyone seemed like real people with failings and insecurities of their own. The characters have multiple issues to work through and Willow escapes to the barge to avoid a particularly difficult home situation. She's the kind of character with an opinion and mouth of her own, pretty much saying what she felt and she and Axel were a good foil with him being more reserved and sombre. I liked that there is give and take in their relationship, that they both bring something to the table and neither assumes that they're perfect.

As the title suggests, Willow is eventually "Saved by the Music" and music offers reprieve to many of the book's characters, its importance in their lives made more than evident. Music transforms the barge into something beautiful and saves Willow's life, I think reading about her struggles might very well resonate with readers, and if not save their life, at least make it easier.


Saved By The Music: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

2.5/5 genies: A contemporary novel with emotion and promise, a read that could appeal to you!

Tour Stop: Selene Castrovilla's Saved By The Music Character Interview & GIVEAWAY

Saved By The Music by Selene Castrovilla
Published: May 13, 2013
Series: N/A
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Westside Books
Pages: 280
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

Goodreads Summary
The last place fifteen-year-old Willow wants to spend her summer is on a run-down former coffee barge, which her aunt is converting into a floating concert hall. In Saved by the Music, Willow thinks she’s alone until she meets Axel, an older teen who lives isolated from the world on the sailboat docked nearby. An unlikely romance sparks as the two grapple with their darkest secrets and bond through shared pain and laughter. It is a summer where music must do more than just soothe the soul.

ABOUT SELENE CASTROVILLA

Selene Castrovilla is an award-winning teen and children’s author who believes that through all trends, humanity remains at the core of literature. She is the author of Saved By the Music and The Girl Next Door, teen novels originally published by WestSide Books and now available digitally through ASD Publishing. Her third children’s book with Calkins Creek Books, Revolutionary Friends, was released in April. Selene holds an MFA in creative writing from New School University and a BA in English from New York University. She lives on Long Island with her two sons. Visit her website www.SeleneCastrovilla.com for book excerpts and more information!

Author links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

(Featuring Willow from Saved by the Music!)

Q. How important is music to you?

Willow: Music literally saved my life. First, Jim Morrison’s voice calmed me and helped me through all the loneliness at home. Jim became my best friend! Then I met Axel – who looked like Jim Morrison but played the cello so beautifully he nearly brought me to tears. Listening to him play made me appreciate the healing qualities of music, and I felt calmed. Life became manageable – maybe even bright? That’s when I opened up to listening to Aunt Agatha play, as well. My whole world turned around, thanks to music.

Q. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why? If you could, who would you take along?

Willow: I would like to visit Jim Morrison’s grave in France. I would bring Axel with me to France because it’s so beautiful there I would want to share it with him. I know we would enjoy holding hands along the Seine. But I would not take him to the grave because it would upset him. I would take a train to see Monet’s gardens in nearby Giverny, but I wouldn’t take Axel there because he can’t take being around plants. We could head to England, to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace – because Shakepeare is Axel’s god, and I would love to watch him bask in his Promised Land.

Q. Willow, what do you think of Jim Morrison, and what role does his music play in your life?

Willow: Finding out about Jim Morrison came at such a crucial stage in my life, it was like he was my guardian angel. He was a poet, and he had a tortured soul. Learning about him made me feel like I had an ally in the cruel world. His music is like my tranquilizer – an instant relief. I think he was a tragic figure, and I’m sorry for what he when through. That it was largely self-inflicted makes it even sadder. When I hear his music it’s like he’s telling me his story, sharing his sad soul with mine. When I listen I am reminded that we are all responsible for our own happiness, and I must make sure to find mine.

Q. Is there anything you regret, a point in time you wish you could rewind and do again differently? If so, why?

Willow: I would not get involved in any way with Craig Culligan. He changed my life in a very bad, irrevocable way.

Q. Willow, describe yourself in 5 words?

Willow: Loving, honest, deep, sarcastic, real.

Q. If you could have anything in the world, regardless of value, what would it be?

Willow: I don’t really care about the monetary value of things. I would want a limitless supply of unconditional love. Thanks for inviting me to stop by! It’s great making new friends!

Q: Thanks Willow! It was great having you, thank-you for dropping by :)

Ms. Castrovilla has been generous enough to include a fabulous, crazy giveaway! If you liked the Interview and Review, be sure to check out the below Giveaway for your chance to win a copy of this book! The winner gets their choice of either iPod Nano or Kindle Fire (or Paperwhite) PLUS Saved by the Music ebook (US ONLY)

10 Second Prize winners stand a chance to receive ebook copies of Saved by the Music (INTERNATIONAL). Enter quick!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Other Stops on the Tour:

July 1  - A Book and a Latte (Kick-off interview)

July 2 - The Fake Steph Dot Com (Guest Post)

July 3 - Cuzinlogic (Review)

July 4 - Ja čitam, a ti? (Character Review)

July 5 - OtherwhereCo (Guest Post)

July 8 - alwaysjoart (Review & Guest Post)

July 9 - Katie's Books (Review)

July 10 - Judith's Choice Reads (Review & Character Interview)

July 11 - Ladybug Storytime (Review)

July 12 - Reader Girls (Review & Guest Post)

Be sure to check them out and as always, don't leave without telling me what you think of both the book and the review ;) LOVE YOU LOTS!!

XX

Blog Tour: Six Weeks to Yehidah by Melissa Studdard

Six Weeks to Yehidah by Melissa Studdard
My rating: 4 of 5 moons
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Adventure
Published: August 2, 2011
Pages: 170
Publisher: All Things That Matter Press
Source: Blog Tour
Format: eRead
Purchase At: Amazon.com

Goodreads Summary

"The thing you would notice most was the rain, how the rain fell and fell and never seemed to stop. The sky was constantly swollen with it, then birthing it, swollen, then birthing again, and the hills, like greedy babies, suckled up all that rain. They shone and glistened green as the backs of frogs on bright green lily pads.

Annalise was ten then, old enough that she’d begun thinking about grown up things, like picking her own clothes out for school, yet young enough, still, to indulge in fanciful imaginings of enchanted trees and talking hills. Her best friends were the clouds that canopied her village and the verdant hills that hosted her most precious and outrageous dreams."

As spunky young Annalise travels from one adventure to another, she learns ancient wisdom traditions and gains deeper and deeper insight into herself and her world. Eventually she must make the most important decision she's ever faced -- whether or not to return to the self she has always known.

The Review

Six Weeks to Yehidah is wonderfully written, I have to say that first, the words in this book were such a delight, I consumed them completely. Melissa Studdard has a whimsical prose with a great deal of wit and maturity; she captures readers easily and completely. This book reminded me of my childhood, because growing up, I was a huge fan of Enid Blyton. Let me tell you, the woman could write, and with such flourish and originality, her stories inspired me! Truthfully I have never felt so touched by a storyteller, like I was by her, in a long time. Six Weeks to Yehidah was great because Melissa Studdard literally became my adult Enid Blyton figure, she is so talented. I can see why the responses to Six Weeks to Yehidah are so positive, I loved it! 

Annalise is the perfect young protagonist for her inquisitive nature and smart mind, Mable and Mimi, her sheep, offer a great enhancement to the adventure. I liked that they could talk above the clouds, the magic and overall ingenuity captured me. Six Weeks to Yehidah could be a good read for anyone. There is a religious element to the story, I won't ruin it for anyone, but in no way did it interfere with my enjoyment or the book's progress. I laughed, reflected and relished the journey from start to finish; there isn't a way to dislike Six Weeks to Yehidah. If you haven't read it, find yourself a copy, I suggest it. Previous readers have compared this to works such as Wizard of Oz mainly because the concept of a journey is the same. There are a lot of contrary and absurdly peculiar characters in almost every page. Enid Blyton was a great author for all she brought to fiction. I believe that Melissa Studdard has all the makings of similar greatness. 4/5 moons!  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa Studdard is theauthor of the bestselling novel Six Weeks to Yehidah, andits companion journal, My Yehidah (both on All Things That Matter Press). Since its August 2011 release, SixWeeks to Yehidah has been the recipient of many accolades, includingthe Forward National Literature Award and January Magazine's bestchildren's books of 2011. It was also named a finalist in the National IndieExcellence Awards and is a current finalist for the Readers Favorite Awards. Alongwith Scott Lutz, Melissa is co-author of For the Love of All (Trestle Press), which isthe fifth story in the Mark Miller’s One series and debuted inthe number one spot for Hot New Releases in Literary Criticism and Theory inthe Amazon Kindle store. As well, her poetry, fiction, essays, reviews, andarticles have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and anthologies. Melissacurrently serves as a Reviewer-at-Large for The National Poetry Review,an editorial advisor for Lapis Lazuli Journal of The HaroldPinter Society of India, and a contributing editor for TiferetJournal. She is also the host of Tiferet Journal’s radio program,Tiferet Talk. Melissa received her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College andis a professor at a community college in Texas and a teaching artist at TheRooster Moans Poetry Cooperative.She currently resides inTexas with her wonderful daughter and their four sweet but mischievous cats. Learn more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Studdardor www.melissastuddard.com.

4 moons: A good read. I enjoyed this book, not quite loved, but it 

isn't far off from being amazing.