June's #JLBgivesawayanINDIE = FIVE YA #audiobooks

Yep! You read that right! I wanted to give an all-around variety of YA indie ebooks and ended up deciding to add two traditionally-pubbed books to the mix! Woohoo! So there you have it... FIVE audiobooks altogether: dystopian, magical realism, comedy/coming of age, science fiction... an eclectic mix but I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy them! Contest ends Sunday, June 28th at 11:59 p.m. PST, and is INTERNATIONAL (long as you have an Audible or Amazon account!) Check out the blurbs for the books, below, and then enter the Rafflecopter! :D 

Pity Isn't An Option (Cozenage, #1) by Jessica L. Brooks (narrated by Matthew Dunehoo):

Seventeen year-old Jonas' blood disorder has taken away everything that matters. Sixteen year-old Hattie's father is losing his marbles. When Jonas' perfectly healthy twin brother and Hattie's crazy dad are drafted into the President's army, Hattie's dad disappears. Jonas and Hattie embark on a journey to find him, and find something they'd lost long ago in the process.

Add to Goodreads I Find on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks



An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes, #1) by Sabaa Tahir (narrated by Fiona Hardingham & Steve West):

Laia is a slave.

Elias is a soldier.

Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself. 

Add to Goodreads I Find on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks



Somewhere Only We Know by Cheyanne Young (narrated by Francesca Santoro):

Sadie Bradford’s life is one anxiety attack after another. All she wants is to escape life's realities for the summer and hang out with her best friend Aaron. But her grandmother has other plans: Sadie will get a job. Sadie will do volunteer work. Sadie will make new friends - friends without brain injuries that make them forget everything...friends that aren’t Aaron.

While Sadie struggles to survive her anxiety with all these new changes, she finds an escape when she dreams herself into the beautiful world of Isola Fiona. It’s a place that cures memory loss and anxiety. It’s a place where she and Aaron can fall in love. 

But after dragging Aaron along with her to her dream world, things take a turn. Every time they return home, Sadie’s anxiety is a little better but Aaron’s memory is still gone. And Isola Fiona may not be much of a dream after all. As Sadie realizes that Isola Fiona is as real as her anxiety, she rushes to change the course of fate and make things right, but she may be too late...

Add to Goodreads I Find on Amazon | Barnes & Noble 



The Moon Dwellers (The Dwellers Saga, #1) by David Estes (narrated by Julia Whelon & Will Damron):

In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms. 

After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason.

Against all odds, Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family, while being hunted by a deranged, killing machine named Rivet, who works for the President. She is helped by two other inmates, Tawni and Cole, each of whom have dark secrets that are better left undiscovered. Other than her friends, the only thing she has going for her is a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father.

At the other end of the social spectrum is Tristan, the son of the President and a sun dweller. His mother is gone. He hates his father. Backed by only his servant and best friend, Roc, he leaves his lavish lifestyle in the Sun Realm, seeking to make something good out of his troubled life.

When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to mysteriously follow Adele as she seeks to find her family and uncover her parents true past.

In their world, someone must die.

Add to Goodreads I Find on Amazon 



Stupid Fast (Stupid Fast, #1) by Geoff Herbach (narrated by Fred Berman): 

I, Felton Reinstein, am Stupid Fast. Seriously. The upper classmen used to call me Squirrel Nut, because I was little and jumpy. Then, during sophomore year, I got tall and huge and so fast the gym teachers in their tight shorts fell all over themselves. During summer, three things happened all at once. First, the pee-smelling jocks in my grade got me to work out for football, even though I had no intention of playing. Second, on my paper route the most beautiful girl I have ever seen moved in and played piano at 6 a.m. Third, my mom, who never drinks, had some wine, slept in her car, stopped weeding the garden, then took my TV and put it in her room and decided she wouldn’t get out of bed.

Listen, I have not had much success in my life. But suddenly I’m riding around in a jock’s pick-up truck? Suddenly I’m invited to go on walks with beautiful girls? So, it’s understandable that when my little brother stopped playing piano and began to dress like a pirate I didn’t pay much attention. That I didn’t want to deal with my mom coming apart.

Add to Goodreads I Find on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks


Please note that some of these books are definitely upper YA due to language/underage drinking/sexual references.


And now for the RAFFLECOPTER!!!! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

This week's writerly news: Writing Inspiration while on vacation

Hey, guys! Last week our family went on our annual summer vacation. I try not to post things about being away from my home while I'm gone, so even though I took a ton of pictures that I wanted so badly to share, I did not. And yes, this might have meant a bit of angst on my part, but guess what? It means more pics right now for you! Yay! (Didn't that work out swell?) 

We went to the beach, more specifically, where pretty much everyone from the valley goes... Pismo. (But if you go to Pismo Beach you basically always also go to Avila Beach, Oceano, Grover Beach, and the nearby San Luis Obispo, because they're so close.) 

As usual, we writers are always a few steps ahead of the game, so while the second Flora book is coming out soon, I'm already over here working on book three and the second Cozenage book (after Pity Isn't An Option). And sure, blogs and Pinterest boards are great to capture ideas and whatnot (oh hey, here are mine, by the way...) I love coming across visual inspiration the natural way. So here you go... a few photos I took recently that will most definitely end up in my books in the not-so-distant future. 

Do I even need to explain this one?

On the beach. Loved the sunset coloring and
how very dark that one low cloud was.

Looking up from inside a
eucalyptus grove.

Another beautiful sunset.

A house even worse than the Pulman residence!

Took this whilst driving down a lonely road.
It has the Cozenage series written all over it.

Through the passenger window. Soooo
someplace Jonas would come across! 

I actually filmed this. It was evening, and these
birds flew by in a continual line for almost FIVE
minutes. They were all heading south, further out
to sea. (To feed, maybe?) It was CRAZY.

Trying to look through the eucalyptus. 

The grove again -- wanted to show the
dense foliage on the grove floor and
also how dark it was inside even in
the early afternoon.

Have a blessed weekend! 

This week's writerly news + @STbende's Book Birthday Bash

Hey, guys! (Like my new PIAO edit below?) It's the second to last week of school for my girls, which means chaos, so this'll be a quick post.

1) This month's Reader Interview was with @MattCrazy_ ... if you have a chance, head over HERE to his two-part interview, and leave some love on his posts!

2) Starting this evening, Pity Isn't An Option's e-book will be 99 cents and If I Speak True's e-book will be $1.99 on Amazon in celebration of summer break. (Click on the Amazon icon on my sidebar to go straight to them.) 
If you'd love to read e-books but don't have an e-reader, never fear... There are Kindle apps for pretty much every mobile device now (and even your PC) and they're free! Just click HERE!
**Side note: Both PIAO and IIST are also in the Kindle Matchbook program... meaning, if you purchase the paperback of either book, you receive the e-book of that same item, FREE! (Keep one, give one away! YAY!) Just scroll down a bit until you see the Kindle Matchbook option to learn more!

3) Tonight at 9:50 EST I will be celebrating my great pal ST's re-release of Elkser (think Thor, but of him as more romantical--it's a fun series) at an event she's throwing on Facebook and I'd love to see you guys over there! There will be lots of giveaways by lots of different authors (from YA to adult, I believe, so keep that in mind... not all time slots will be YA). Click HERE to see who else will be there, bookmark the event, or RSVP! I'm going to give away e-books, some book swag, and more! (My giveaway will be international.)
4) The month of July is very exciting for me, as By Sun and Candlelight will be out and Open Thy Heart (Flora, #2)'s cover will be revealed! Wahoo! PLUS, Hafsah is making some Flora bookmarks for me to give away soon! So stay tuned!
5) Last but not least, the #JLBgivesawayaDVD giveaway of Forever Strong ends tonight. Click here to enter. Here's next month's giveaway (starts Monday).
HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND, YOU GUYS! :D 

Celebrating a Blessed New Year & 200 followers + writerly news

Hello, everyone! Happy 2014!!!

I'm going to keep this post short because I'm sure everyone has tons of stuff going on (and I don't have a whole lot to say anyway), but I just had to say YAYYYYY because I have hit 200 followers! Woohoo! Took me a few years, but that's okay -- I appreciate every single one of you guys!

I had to add a She's the Man gif. Pretend this is
me embracing ya'll, all awkward-like. ;D
Because that's how I roll.

In celebration of IF I SPEAK TRUE's release later this month (and heck, also the whole 200 follower thing), PITY ISN'T AN OPTION's ebook is only 99 cents on Amazon!!! (Unless you purchase the paperback and do the Kindle Matchbook option where you get the paperback AND ebook -- in that case, the PIAO ebook is free!) So, if you've been debating whether or not to get to know Beanie and Hattie, well, now is the perfect time. (You can actually go straight to Amazon right over there ----> in the sidebar.) 

Speaking of Beanie (Jonas) and Hattie, verrrry early on first day of 2014, a whole bunch of ideas swarmed into my head about Jonas and Mercy Cove--where he ends up in book two--and it was so great! I am very excited to continue his journey. A lot of stuff happens and I know you'll fall in love with a couple of new characters just as much as I have! Plus, with so many ideas coming to me already, it's a picture of just how amazing this year is going to be, writerly-wise. Which is... AWESOME! I am very excited!!!

Last, (told you this was going to be short), come January 6th (technically Dahlia Kennedy's birthday), I will be doing something on Tumblr to commemorate IF I SPEAK TRUE coming out the 27th. Basically, each day from January 6th to January 27th, I'll be telling the story of IF I SPEAK TRUE in chronological order in photo form. So, if that sounds like something you'd enjoy, head over HERE and follow me (or just check this link out throughout the month). I've spent quite a bit of time trying to come up with just the right visuals, and hope you enjoy it!

Well I do believe that's it. I am looking forward to a wonderful year! Have a blessed weekend!

Jonas and Hattie hate Thanksgiving, but Pity Isn't An Option! (#giveaway)

It's one day before our last meal.
Last.
I will never, ever think of that word the same way again.
All the dismal events that have happened over the past few years remain tucked away in the shadowy party of my mind--the part that holds on to all things dark with a death-tight grip. I try not to visit them often, try not to remember what they are.
But--they are there--this I know. And they aren't going to go away. At some point, the shadowy part is going to run out of room, and everything sad and hopeless and catastrophic that has happened so far will overflow. That's what I have to look forward to soon: To the moment when my brain can no longer absorb it and all the darkness and sadness and oppression will burst out of their gates and fill my head with ominous sludge.
I don't know why, but I have this twisted idea that celebrating Thanksgiving a few days early is actually good. If we celebrate it now, before the actual day, the holiday won't be eternally scarred. It won't be yet another memory that looms over  your head, a memory that, year after year, brings a sock to your stomach of that last Thanksgiving day we ever spent as a family as a whole.   

So because Thanksgiving plays a decent role in Pity Isn't An Option (Jonas and Hattie both hate it, but especially Hattie -- those are her words up there), I thought it would be fun to do a giveaway! There will be FIVE winners total, with each winner receiving a Pity Isn't An Option audiobook and an eARC of If I Speak True. There are a few ways to enter, but I made sure that the free option gave you the most entries in case it's the only one you use! (I've posted the giveaway here, AND on my Facebook page.) Have a blessed Thanksgiving, US folks! I can't wait to see who wins! (Giveaway ends this Monday, December 2nd.)
Pity Isn't An Option audiobook  and If I Speak True eARC giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Breaking News: Wanless Wanderer repost

This radio announcement was first featured back in May on Bound By Books a few months ago when Lisa went on vacation. I thought I'd share it, as this time of year is the exact setting for Pity Isn't An Option, and though not a whole lot is explained in the book about the state of the government (more to come in future book installments), this radio announcement does give you a view into how things operate a bit. Think of this as something you'd hear right before the book starts up -- I will most likely incorporate it into the beginning of PIAO when the novella tying book one to book two comes out early next year.

***BREAKING NEWS***

This is a breaking news announcement by your very own X at Wanless Wanderer Radio covering Wanless, California and the surrounding areas.

According to multiple sources, over forty Union meetings have been cited across the west coast over the past few days and a warning from President Seamus Kendrick himself was issued only moments ago. In that warning, President Kendrick reminded America’s citizens of their obligation to serve, saying conspiracies were by no means proof of anything solid. He also bridged the topic of recent fires igniting in towns across the state, including Perrierre and Hudsonville to the east, and acknowledged that hiding will ultimately do no one any good and the last thing he wants to do is ...harm anyone.

This will be the second time Unions have been reported as going into hiding in the past so many months, which leaves locals wondering if there is more going on than meets the eye. One anonymous source informs us here at the Wanless Wanderer that Unions are receiving leaked information from somewhere at the Capitol quarters, though no one, from the Capitol on down, is willing to say who from. If this is indeed true, it would explain the lack of willingness of volunteers for the previous years’ drafts, as Union members still hold quite a bit of clout even while they are in hiding.

Sacramento officials have been questioned regarding this matter by WW reporters but the bigs in Sacramento deny anything is going on and suggested listening more to Kendrick Radio and less to the whacko conspiracy ones.

Beyond whisperings that something else unofficial might be coming into the play over the next few weeks (an assumption many here in Wanless and other local towns have been wondering about), nothing appears to be in concrete. President Kendrick’s right hand man in our area, Mr. Tuscon Olive, affirmed during a recent interview that the only reason things appear to be worse is because people have stopped being together. That is what President Kendrick designed Markets for: a place for families to spend time with their loved ones and boost the economy by supporting local vendors.

When asked how the support appeared to be racking compared to last year’s pre-holiday season, Mr. Olive assured us that though Wanless’ finances were slightly down, it was, quote, nothing to worry about.

In the end, the real questions are no different than they were two, three years ago, folks. Where have the drafted men gone and why is Market continually pushed as so important? We asked Mr. Olive this at the end of the interview and, after a moment of silence, he gave us this answer:

Our men may be gone and I may not be able to tell you where they are, but remember this: Beyond the drafts and the lack and utter devastation many feel, it’s important to focus on what you still have. Hold your loved ones. Share your food with your neighbors. I’ve heard we’re supposed to be getting a drizzle here and there which means our water allotment might be going up so take care to conserve if you plan on having a garden. The President has many things going on, some of which I am unable to speak of, but do not doubt that he wants the best for you. His way may seem cold and calloused, but it is always in our best interest.

Upon asking Mr. Olive if he truly believed that himself, he hung up.

Reporting live with the facts of Wanless and the surrounding territories, this has been breaking news by X.



Seventeen year-old Jonas' blood disorder has taken away everything that matters. Sixteen year-old Hattie's father is losing his marbles. When Jonas' perfectly healthy twin brother and Hattie's crazy dad are drafted into the President's army, Hattie's dad disappears. Jonas and Hattie embark on a journey to find him, and find something they'd lost long ago in the process. Available now in e-book, paperback, and audiobook

#JLBBirthdayBash update

Happy Friday! I am so excited about my upcoming #JLBBirthdayBash! Like I said, more items are being added to both giveaways all the time (the good folks at Rafflecopter have offered to throw in a few things, too!). Here's the latest update (and remember, there's more to come!!!):

Here's a breakdown:

US Giveaway:

* Hardcover of Elizabeth Wein's ROSE UNDER FIRE (link)
* Paperback of my debut, PITY ISN'T AN OPTION + bookmarks (link)
* UNBREATHABLE bookmarks & buttons (by Hafsah Lazaif -- link)
* The Dusk Gate Chronicles bookmarks (by Breeana Puttroff -- link) 
* ask me about my favorite books t-shirt
* Rafflecopter t-shirt
* and more!!!
**just added: Go Away I'm Reading button

International Giveaway:

* One free business month from Rafflecopter 
* UNBREATHABLE ebook + bookmarks & button
* PITY ISN'T AN OPTION ebook OR audiobook + bookmarks
* reader's choice ebook from The Dusk Gate Chronicles by Breeana Puttroff + bookmarks
*Book Nerd bumper sticker 
* and more!!!
** just added: Go Away I'm Reading button

So keep checking back because I asked Hafsah to make some special things and I can't wait to show you what they are!!! (Plus... more STUFF!)

Also: The PITY ISN'T AN OPTION audiobook giveaway on my Facebook page is almost over... I'm giving three audiobooks away and there's only a few entries so your chances of winning one are pretty high! :) (I believe it's required to like the Facebook page to enter, but you can always like it and then unlike it later!) Click HERE to enter.

Have a blessed weekend! 

#JLBBirthdayBash giveaway stuffs!!!

Announcing...my #JLBBirthdayBash (also known as, "It's my birthday month so let's have lots of prizes")! Later this month, I'm turning the young THREE-FIVE. Plus, my birthday this year will mark the beginning the 5th year since I started writing. (So cool.) I love the number five, love to write, but more importantly, I LOVE GIVEAWAYS!

So. As an excuse to celebrate my birthday with all ya'll, I've decided to have two separate giveaways going throughout the actual week of my birthday. The first one will be a pretty darn good-sized YA package available to US residents only. But, never fear, my international lovelies! Just because shipping costs are insane doesn't mean you can't enter the swag pack giveaway!* ;D (See! I share the international love!)

Just so you know, what you see is not necessarily what you're going to get. I will be adding more items to the giveaway throughout the month, like eARCs (that's eAdvanced Readers Copies, for those of you who don't know--think ebooks you get to read before it's technically "published"), and MORE. Can we say PAR-TAY?

There will be a few different ways to enter the giveaways, but rest assured that there will *always* be free entries as well! Because I love you guys!

And now, without further ado, here are some of the items I will be giving away so far:

So we've got a t-shirt that says, "ask me about my favorite books" (because of course we always love to talk about our favorite books--not that we actually *need* to be asked--ha ha), Rose Under Fire, Pity Isn't An Option, a Book Nerd bumper sticker, Unbreathable swag, an Unbreathable ebook, Pity Isn't An Option audiobook and/or ebook, and more to come! 

Whew! Are you exited yet? I bet you're thinking, When will this giveaway take place, Jessica? WHEN????? (right?)

Well, it starts Sunday, October 20th at 12:00 a.m. (PST) and ends Saturday, October 26th at 11:59 p.m. (PST). So every day for a whole week you can enter to win! Woohoo!

In the meantime, check back with me over the next week or so to see what else I add!  And thanks in advance for helping me celebrate the big (young) THREE-FIVE! 

Be blessed!

*actual international giveaway contents will be specified the week of the #JLBBirthdayBash

Jonas graphic from Pity Isn't An Option

Well, not Jonas exactly. Just part of a quote BY Jonas.

I was messing around with the blurb I have listed on the "books" tab here on my blog and came up with this. (Mainly just for fun and because PIAO is really set in the fall. It's always great to read a book when the setting is the same as it is around you.) Then, as I read the words over, I realized it kinda goes with what's going on with our government right now, and how some people feel, so I thought I might as well share and make the last hour I spent at least worth something! ;) Enjoy!

This week's writerly news (in photos)...

It's almost October! I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by. And speaking of October, my #JLBBirthdayBash will officially begin in a few days... can we say YAY for prizes??? :D

As for news, this week has been pretty busy. I figured out the title to Flora Book 2 (come back Monday to find out), heard from my editor (work to be done, but I still very much hope to have If I Speak True out beginning of December), wrote quite a bit (if you've never done twitter word-sprint write clubs like #FridayNightWrites or #writeclub, you should!) and started on my amazing cover/site designer, Hafsah's gorgeous-o book, UNBREATHABLE. (Can't wait to finish it this weekend. And, she has a fan site already for it. Talk about awesome, right?You can check it out here.)

So since I'm a little late in writing today's post, I thought I'd just share a few photos to sum everything up. Ready? O-kay!

1) IF I SPEAK TRUE (Flora #1) fun:

Saw this yesterday and immediately thought of Eva, Dahlia's best friend (she loves to read about werewolves). If she had a journal and didn't prefer to talk so much instead, this would definitely be something she'd use.








2) Recent #amwriting note I'd completely forgotten I'd written until I found it: 



Uh huh. 

3) Here's a teaser Hafsah recently shared for her book, UNBREATHABLE, the book I'm reading now (and she's donating an ebook & some bookmarks for the #JLBBirthdayBash!--Yay!):


I know you want to read it yesterday now. ;) (It comes out in less than a month!)

4) Honestly, I can't even remember why I took this photo, but I came across it this week, and it made me think of Jonas in PITY ISN'T AN OPTION. See, he has thing against beans. If he'd seen this in the Norton kitchen, in fact, he wouldn't have been very happy. (Sometimes, Hattie's sister calls him Beanie, on account of his hatred for beans.) ;)







5) Not the best picture, I know, but here are a few things that will be going into drawings for my #JLBBirthdayBash (more to come, including UNBREATHABLE and PITY ISN'T AN OPTION swag, and other stuffs):

 

So, there ya have it. Oh, and in case you missed it, my enewsletter will be starting up soon, so if you'd like to receive news and content before everyone else, here's the link!

Until Monday, be blessed!

Jessica

Get ready for a par-tay! :D And writerly news

Hey all! So, the first bit of news for this week is, Pity Isn't An Option is finally available to purchase on audiobook! YAY! *throws coffee beans* *dances like Davey Jones* You can check it out and listen to the first two minutes on Audible.com HERE. (It's also available on ACX.com and iTunes.) Also, if you've thought about getting an Audible account but haven't been sure about it, they have a pretty cool deal where the first book you pick is free. (We did this a week ago when my sophomore decided to get A Tale of Two Cities--required reading--boy did reading along with the narration make a difference!) I'm pretty sure I'm going to take advantage of Audible, as I already have a list of audiobooks I'm wanting to get! ;) 

audiobook cover

Anyway. That's the first bit of news...

2) Next month I'm going to turn the big THREE-FIVE and in order to celebrate, I'm going to do a pretty big giveaway. This means indie AND traditionally pubbed YA books (one might, just MIGHT, be ROSE UNDER FIRE) will be up for grabs, along with Pity Isn't An Option's ebook and audiobook, and of course, book swag. It's going to be so fun, and best of all, this is the kind of party you can participate in whilst still in your PJs (the best kind! of parties... not of PJs... as for those, however, feel free to wear ratty, threadbare ones or whatever... no one'll notice) Isn't that great? ;)

3) Reading-wise, I'm still reading The Count of Monte Cristo and have officially decided that I'm going to purchase the DVD when I'm done and compare the two (with an open mind whilst watching Henry Cav--I mean, the movie) and perhaps have a fun twitter session of quotes. (I give myself weird rewards. I know this.)

4) IF I SPEAK TRUE is officially with the editor, guys. *squee* *freaks out* *panics* *flails* This means it really is going to come out soon, and to this, I say:


(If you're curious, I do have a pretty detailed IF I SPEAK TRUE board on Pinterest!)

and last:

5) If you missed it: I was over at Operation Awesome talking about how therapeutic words are here, and my Waiting on Wednesday post was, incidentally, about Operation Awesome alumni, Wesley Chu's, The Deaths of Tao! (Check it out here.) 

Have a blessed weekend!!! :)

Books I've loved recently and writerly news

This week's been crazy enough that I haven't really had a chance to post. There are points in the phase of writing where you're busy editing and throwing down words (been on a roll a few days this week with Flora 2 -- woo hoo) and corresponding; and between doing all of that and having a family (and school officially being in full swing), you've used so many words, there really aren't any left to share. (Not that I run out of words easily, but when it comes to the blog, I don't want to bore you guys to tears.) I even missed my post at Operation Awesome, which shouldn't have happened considering it was my second official post, but that's what happens when, you know, life happens and you forget what day it is. So yeah.

A couple of things to quickly share:

1) #Indie love: If you're into YA urban fantasy, Breanna Puttroff's The Dusk Gate Chronicles are a fun read. They're clean, consist of lots of fun characters, and like the Flora series (book #1 is about to go to the editor -- woot woot), the main character spends a lot of time in a completely different "world" and gets to know all about it, the people who live there, and what role she has to play in everything. I really enjoyed them, and the ebooks are very well priced (in fact, the first one, Seeds of Discovery, is free). 

2) Traditionally pubbed #booklove: In the past week or so I've been reading two series: Dan Krokos' False novels (OH THE ANGST--when is book three coming out... I just can't....), and Myra McEntire's Hourglass series. Though the first is more science fiction than anything (clones) and the latter is more about time travel, both have had me laughing out loud, really connecting to the main characters, and really liking the writers' voices. (They're YA, of course.) I highly suggest both; if you tend to like the same kind of books I like, you won't be disappointed. (Unless you want to read Mr. Krokos' book three. In which case, how 'bout I hold you while you hold me?)

 3) Blog #memes: After this week's #K8chat on Twitter, I'm going to try to get on board with a few fun blog memes, just to be able to book squee with everyone about readerly stuff. We'll see how it goes; it might be a once or twice a month sort of thing. Who knows. 

4) Audiobook #giveaway: Once Pity Isn't An Option's audiobook is officially approved by ACX, it'll be available to purchase on iTunes, ACX.com and Audible.com. Most likely I'll be doing a giveaway to celebrate (yay). More details coming soon.

5) Are you on #Pinterest? I really enjoy connecting on there and sharing my favorite stuffs, including boards for PITY ISN'T AN OPTION (Cozenage #1), IF I SPEAK TRUE (Flora #1), writing, food, and of course, cute baby animals. :) Let me know how to find you in the comments (or go to my "for my readers" tab and you can find me and I'll follow you). Then we can pin each others' snarky comments and learn how to make crafty stuff out of cardboard--a pinner's dream!

6) The lovely and talented and amazing Hafsah Laziaf (who created not only PIAO's gorgeous cover, but also designed my entire blog and my bookmarks and will no doubt design everything else I do) has announced she's publishing her book, UNBREATHABLE. I'm excited for her, because she's one of those people who gives continuously to others and now it is her time to shine and I think that's amazing, so of course I had to share her news! 

(That ended up not being short at all!) Have a blessed, fun Labor Day weekend, guys! See you Tuesday!

Giveaways, reviews and more--Monday update

Just wanted to keep everyone posted on what's currently going on!

Giveaways

1) MOTOCROSS ME (YA): Last week I participated in the INDIEpendence Day celebration--an annual feature where readers/authors spread the #indie (independently published authors) love--by featuring a giveaway of indie author, Cheyanne Young's, new book, MOTOCROSS ME (which I truly enjoyed). You still have time to enter to win a signed paperback, bookmark and dirt bike necklace: Go HERE to read the interview and enter the giveaway!

2) Zombie YA book (to be revealed on Wednesday): Another fun, annual feature I'm participating in this year is Reading Road Trip 2013. (To read more about this cool feature, go here.) Sadly, I signed up too late to get California, but South Carolina ended up having an author I enjoy, so come back Wednesday to visit and see what zombie book I have up for grabs and learn a few facts about The Palmetto state! 

Reviews

I read a lot the past couple of weeks and reviewed 3 books, including my newest favorite, The Sea of Tranquility. For those of you who don't know much about it, here's the author, Katja's, very own story (link) about how it came to be (and went from a self-published to traditionally published book)! And here's my review (link).

Just for fun

Kaitlin at Reading is My Treasure recently reviewed Pity Isn't An Option and made this neat image quote:

And speaking of Pity Isn't An Option...

Final notice

After having the first 5 chapters of Pity Isn't An Option up for a while on Goodreads, it's time to take them down. If you're wanting to get a feel of the book this is the perfect, free way, to do so! Click HERE to be taken straight to the page before I remove them this evening. :)

Have a blessed week!

Pity Isn't An Option audiobook celebration

Harry is celebrating!

Summer break has officially arrived! *throws coffee beans* 

With last Friday commencing the beginning of two months without school, there's a lot going on right now, but the most important bit of news is... *drumroll please* The audiobook version of Pity Isn't An Option is officially about to be narrated! Woohoo! *throws MORE coffee beans* *does cartwheels* I have found the perfect guy for the job--he does Jonas and Hattie well and is definitely going to do PIAO justice. YAY!!! *applause* *applause*

Also, PIAO received a very lovely review last week--Genie explained the mood so well (including this line:  This novel had something that some dystopian novels lack: FEELING - and that counts for a lot in my eyes.) that I just had to thank her for taking the time to read and review by sharing her review HERE. 

Join me in celebrating this lovely news by entering a few current contests that are floating around the interwebs for no other reasons than this is SO EXCITING and entering is FREE (and so are the books if you win)!!! I've listed them below for your convenience:

*** Check out an interview with Jonas and Hattie at Sara's Blogoversary celebration and enter to win a copy of Pity Isn't An Option and signed bookmark HERE 

*** Read an all-new excerpt from Pity Isn't An Option (Hattie's POV) and enter to win a copy of Pity Isn't An Option at Say It With Books' Indie Self-Published Author Event HERE

Thanks for joining me in the celebration and have a blessed week!

Indie Author Event at Say It With Books

A brand new excerpt of Pity Isn't An Option is featured at Say It With Books' Indie Self-published Author Event! (A big thank you & platter of cookies to them for putting the spotlight on indie authors!) Click HERE to check out the photos, excerpt, & enter the giveaway.

Please spread the word!

Have a blessed weekend,

Jessica

Jonas and Hattie answer a few questions for Sara in Bookland's BLOGOVERSARY

Happy Monday! :D

Jonas and Hattie have been interviewed over at Sara in Bookland's blog to help celebrate her one year BLOGOVERSARY. (Woohoo! Cookies all around!) An ebook of Pity Isn't An Option is also up for grabs, so head on over HERE to read the interview and enter the giveaway! (Feel free to share some BLOGOVERSARY love by sending her a note of congrats and enter the other giveaways going on while you're at it!)

Harry the owl and I also giving away five free bookmarks to help Sara celebrate... so the first five people to put their email in the comments section here will receive a bookmark (with excerpt from PIAO on the back) from Harry! *throws confetti*