The Apollo Academy by Kimberly P Chase {Release Bltiz}

The Apollo Academy by Kimberly P. Chase
(The Apollo Academy #1)
Published by: Harlequin
Publication date: February 22nd 2015
Genres: New Adult, Science Fiction

Blurb~

Take off with this dynamic, thrill-seeking, sexy New Adult Science Fiction series debut. Welcome to the exclusive Apollo Academy, where Aurora is about to discover that achieving her dream is only the first step towards her future.

As the heiress to Titon Technologies, eighteen-year-old Aurora Titon can have whatever she wants—clothes, expensive gadgets, anything money can buy. But all she really wants is to escape her pampered, paparazzi-infested life for the stars. Becoming the first female pilot to train as an astronaut for the exclusive Apollo Academy is exactly the chance for which she has been waiting.
Flying is everything she ever dreamed, her best friend also got into the Academy, and the paparazzi is banned from campus. Everything would be perfect, but for her unreciprocated crush on a fellow student, the sexy astronaut bent on making her life hell, and the fact that someone keeps trying to kill her.


The most important education doesn’t happen in the classroom…
 
Early Praise: "I am obsessed with this book! Suspenseful, sexy, and just a great read!" - Cora Carmack, New York Times Bestselling author of LOSING IT.

“Exquisite worldbuilding, thrilling suspense, and a sexy flight instructor! Chase’s exciting debut novel is one you don’t want to miss.” - K.A.Tucker, Author of Ten Tiny Breaths and One Tiny Lie

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Exclusive Excerpt from THE APOLLO ACADEMY:

(Chapter 10. Aurora in flight training with Sky, her domineering (and not to mention hot) flight instructor.)

Whoop, whoop. ‘Thrust warning, loss of main engine one.’ Whoop, whoop.

The shrill warning bell caused the hair on the back of Aurora’s neck to stand on end. She thrust the throttles on the remaining two engines full forward. She knew Sky stood behind her simulation panel, probably smiling as she struggled to recover from the engine failure he’d just caused with the flick of a switch.

He'd been overseeing everyone’s progress and of course decided now to come over, waiting until she was at an extremely critical altitude before creating this failure for her to handle.

Whoop, whoop. ‘Stall imminent.’ Whoop, whoop.

Aurora knew she was approaching the aircraft’s stall speed, but the loss of a single engine made it extremely difficult to control the overly large shuttle. Her yoke shook, another warning that a stall was close.

Aurora had to resist the urge to pull the nose of the aircraft up.

"Aurora, you’re going to stall if you don’t increase your airspeed," he whispered right next to her ear. She jumped, accidentally pressing her foot down on the rudder pedal. She still felt his breath on her cheek. Sky’s constant hissing in her ear was more distracting than being yelled at.

“Shit!" She didn’t even have a chance to alter the course of events because she was at too low of an altitude to recover from the spin she'd just entered.

‘Terrain, terrain.’ Whoop, whoop. ‘Pull up, pull up.’

She wasn’t going to make it. It was like her last simulation flight all over again.

The screen cracked and blacked out when the shuttle hit the ground, killing everyone on board. This was followed by flashing red lights and a loud siren that alerted her and everyone else around her of the failure.

She slammed her finger down on the automatic warning system. The red warning lights swarmed around her, making her cringe in on herself. She already knew she had messed up; she didn’t need the incessant light show. If Sky hadn’t scared her half to death, she wouldn’t have stomped down on the rudder so hard at such a low speed. Okay, so maybe scared wasn’t the right word, but his breath on her face definitely distracted her.

"Damn it, Sky!" she said taking her frustration out on the one who was really responsible for her crash.

Now sitting down beside her, his large frame towered over her. He whispered in her ear, "Tell me why you crashed."

He was still too close. "Oh, I don’t know, maybe because you scared me half to death by hissing at me." She touched her ear. "Who does that? It made me stomp down on the rudder."

Sky grinned, showing off his dimples. "Are you saying you were distracted by my very presence?" He had the audacity to wiggle his eyebrows suggestively.

Heat ran to Aurora’s face, but instead of backing down like she normally would, she decided to wipe that grin off of his face. She'd had it with everyone treating her differently. It might not have been the best idea, but she flirtatiously leaned toward Sky anyway. His eyes widened in surprise.

Now that he was distracted, she discreetly pulled a piece of gum from her bag on the seat next to her. "Here, maybe next time your breath won’t cause so much trouble."

His mouth opened in shock, and Aurora took the opportunity to place the gum into his mouth. The instant she did it, she felt horrible. What was wrong with her? That was the most immature thing she’d ever done.

Sky calmly shut his mouth and popped a bubble, but the grin on his face was definitely gone. 

Oh stars, he was going to make her regret that . . .

About the Author~

Kimberly P. Chase holds a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, which basically means she's kind of a geek and loves flying airplanes. Naturally, her books tend to include aviation, hot flight instructors, aviator glasses, and—let's not forget—kissing! When Kimberly's not writing or reading, she's hanging out with her husband, five-year-old son, and two dogs in Charleston, SC.

Find Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Into the Fire by Michele G Miller {Cover Reveal}

Today I am honored to be able to reveal the cover for the latest book to come from the incredibly talented author Michele G Miller. She is one of those authors that has managed to steal my heart and make me cry. She is a very talented author and I can't wait to read this next book.

This is definitely an interesting cover. If it is anything like her From the Wreckage Series this is going to leave your heart exposed and raw. 

Release Date: Sunday 3/29/2015

Title: Into The Fire

Series: Wrecked: Book one

Author: Michele G. Miller

Blurb~

At fifteen, an accident turned my world upside down. Scarred in every way possible, I shut down, finding comfort by self-inflicting pain.
 
I’ve grown accustomed to the truths of my life, but I’m tired.
Tired of this reality...
Tired of the need...
Of the pain...
I’m weary of being this person...
Of being alone...
Though, I’m more afraid of letting someone in.
 
It’s been five years.
Can I return home and face my fears? Overcome the pain?
It’s time to find out.
 
For too long, the story of my life has been one of horror.
I want my fairy tale.
I want my prince, my happily ever after.
 
The question is, does it want me?
  *This is a standalone novel following a character introduced in the From The Wreckage series. It is not necessary to read that series to enjoy this story.*

PreOrder at iTunes

About the Author~

Michele writes novels with fairytale love for everyday life. Romance is always central to her plots where the genres range from Coming of Age Fantasy and Drama to New Adult Romantic Suspense. 
Having grown up in both the cold, quiet town of Topsham, Maine and the steamy, southern hospitality of Mobile, Alabama, Michele is something of an enigma. She is an avid Yankees fan, loves New England, being outdoors and misses snow. However she thinks southern boys are hotter, Alabama football is the only REAL football out there and sweet tea is the best thing this side of heaven and her children's laughter! 
Her family, an amazing husband and three awesome kids, have planted their roots in the middle of Michele's two childhood homes in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Find Her: Facebook | Blog | Twitter | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Smashwords | Goodreads | Tumblr | Pinterest

The Commitment Test (The Marin Test #2) by Amanda Aksel {Review}

Happy Valentine's everyone! Hope you get to celebrate this day in a way that makes you happy. Anyways, I have a little Valentine's treat for you today. Today I am going to review The Commitment Test by Amanda Aksel. This is definitely a good Valentine's read. Make sure you stick around and find out why.

*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Commitment Test

(The Marin Test Series: Book Two)

By: Amanda Aksel

Release Date: February 4^th, 2015

Publisher: Elephantine Publishing

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Synopsis:

When a Valentine’s Day proposal doesn’t come with an engagement ring, Marin Johns begins to wonder if she and James will ever get married. As her closest friends begin to move forward with their lives, she refuses to be left behind. 
Hope is restored as she devises a plan to get James down on one knee by becoming the ideal mate. Everything seems to fall into place until her college boyfriend resurfaces after a decade with his own ideas about their future. Will Marin be forced to choose between the man of her dreams and the diamond ring she’s always dreamed of?

Helpful Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

My Review~

Marin believes in happily ever after. As a couples therapist she helps to fight for it. And she wants it for herself. In the form of the house, white picket fence, husband and two kids. And she thinks she's about to get it. After all her birthday is on Valentine's Day. Why wouldn't her boyfriend James propose after being together two years? But sadly she gets her hopes up and begins to wonder if the ring will ever happen. And when her past shows up in her present she wonders if she is walking the right path at all. 

I absolutely adore the relationship of James and Marin. Their relationship is definitely one that makes my heart flutter. I'm a sap that way. In a way I'm a lot like Marin. I believe in happy ever after. I believe in the whole package and the story. In The Man Test Marin put James through the test. Yes it was a stupid test and she should have been slapped for it, but in the end it worked out. Her and James are still together. 

But for some reason it just isn't enough for Marin. Being with the man of her dreams isn't enough to make her happy. She has to have a ring to prove he loves her. But Marin isn't the only one that has been hurt. James has been deeply cut by a previous marriage (one that I am sad to say we still don't learn much about), so the idea of marriage freaks him out. Yet there is no doubt that he is madly in love with Marin. 

Throughout The Commitment Test he shows her that she is always in his thoughts. But with Marin's eye on the ring, she doesn't see these moments of love. Instead she sees a fear of commitment. 

Then suddenly it seems that everyone is getting married and having babies. But Marin is still just "dating." Despite almost losing James over a test in The Man Test Marin goes against her better judgement and puts James through another test. This was the point where I began to shake my head. I couldn't believe that she would do this, after almost losing him the first time. I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake the crap out of her. She was blind. Blinded by her desire for a stupid ring and a piece of paper that she was willing to manipulate the man she loved in order to get it. Yikes! She sounds like a terrible person when you put it that way.

But she really isn't. Although she definitely doesn't act like the 33 year old therapist that she is. Instead she acts a lot like a young twenty something bent on perfection. There were definitely quite a few times when I wanted to smack Marin in The Commitment Test, especially when someone from her past came back into her life. Oh my gosh, I wanted to smack my head on the wall, repeatedly. Amanda Aksel did good bringing that one in. But man it really pissed me off. Marin was definitely acting like a spoiled brat. 

Luckily she has amazing friends, Telly, Holly, and Rachel and they told her that was exactly how she was acting. Go friends! All I can say is that if romantic, sweet, funny, cute, and generous James wasn't good enough for Marin then I would take him. Trust me you'll want to take him off Marin's hands too. James is definitely a keeper. 

Amanda Aksel did a great job following up the story of James and Marin giving me exactly what I yearn for in a love story. I felt their love leap off the pages and it was as if I was watching their story on the big screen. I actually imagine The Commitment Test being the sequel to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. 

The Commitment Test was an excellent story of love and life. Being courageous and taking steps to be happy. No matter the choice. Overall it had a great message. Not that love conquers all, but courage does. It takes courage to make decisions and move on. To go after what you want. And it was courage that set Marin free. 

I really enjoyed the second book in The Marin Test. Amanda Aksel definitely hit it out of the park with this one. I enjoyed it more than the first one. This is definitely one that you need to read for yourself. It's fun and adorable! Great combo.

About the Author~

Amanda Aksel is an author with an affinity for love. Becoming a couples therapist was her “backup” career, and after completing her BA in Psychology she was on her way to solving love’s most complicated quandaries one couple at a time. Now she plans to solve love’s most complicated quandaries one novel at a time. 

Find Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Please Don't Tell My Parents I Blew Up The Moon by Richard Roberts {Blog Tour: Review}

*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review

Please Don’t Tell My Parents I Blew Up The Moon, by Richard Roberts

Genre: middle-grade, science-fiction, superhero action-adventure

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Date of Publication: January 29, 2015

Cover Artist: Ricky Gunawan

Blurb~

Supervillains do not merely play hooky.

True, coming back to school after a month spent fighting - and defeating - adult superheroes is a bit of a comedown for the Inscrutable Machine.  When offered the chance to skip school in the most dramatic way possible, Penelope Akk can’t resist. With the help of a giant spider and mysterious red goo, she builds a spaceship and flies to Jupiter.

Mutant goats.

Secret human colonies.

A war between three alien races with humanity as the prize.

Robot overlords and evil plots.

Penny and her friends find all this and more on Jupiter’s moons, but what they don’t find are any heroes to save the day. Fortunately, they have an angry eleven year old and a whole lot of mad science…

Helpful Links: Goodreads | Amazon US | Amazon UK

My Review~

Where do I start with Please Don't Tell My Parents I Blew Up The Moon? There is definitely a lot going on with this story. You have supervillains, superheroes, mutant goats, and other weird things, plus powers that are out of this world and characters that rival those powers.  

And that doesn't even begin to cover everything. From the minute you pick up Please Don't Tell My Parents I Blew Up The Moon you are transported to another time. To Earth in a very far far future where there are superheroes and supervillains, wearing disguises trying to live a normal life. 

Well most of them are. Then you have Bad Penny and her little gang of misfits. And I do mean misfits they are definitely an interesting group to say the least. They work well together as a team throughout the story and you really get a feel for who they are as "supervillains." I use this word loosely because as the story unfolds you find that they are really more like superheroes than villains. And that is not a bad thing. Though they do come up with some pretty off the wall inventions. Yikes. Some of them I would not want to come face to face with. 

Bad Penny and her friends all yearn to go out in the world and leave their mark. To have everyone know who they are and what they are capable of. Needless to say with some underground help they are given the chance to do just that. And boy do they leave a mark!

Please Don't Tell My Parents I Blew Up The Moon is a story full of action, science, and technology that rivals the old 80's movie Weird Science. The overall story was fun and peeked my curiosity, but unfortunately the author lost me with a lot of technology speak that really took me out of the story. There were a lot of moments that I really just didn't think made sense and left me feeling lost. 

I wish I had liked this book more because the premise is great. I really loved the idea of Bad Penny and her friends, but in the end I think all the weird powers and mad science was just a little too much for me. But just because it is not my story doesn't mean it's not yours. It has all the elements there to be a great story for someone. I'm just not that someone. 

In the end Please Don't Tell My Parents I Blew Up The Moon gave me a chuckle and made me realize that I really want to see Bad Penny's power in action. It sounds both creepy and fantastic, it was a fun read once I got past the tech speak.

About the Author~

Richard Roberts has fit into only one category in his entire life, and that is ‘writer’, but as a writer he’d throw himself out of his own books for being a cliche. 
He’s had the classic wandering employment history - degree in entomology, worked in health care, been an administrator and labored for years in the front lines of fast food. He’s had the appropriate really weird jobs, like breeding tarantulas and translating English to English for Japanese television. He wears all black, all the time, is manic-depressive, and has a creepy laugh. 
He’s also followed the classic writer’s path, the pink slips, the anthology submissions, the desperate scrounging to learn how an ever-changing system works. He’s been writing from childhood, and had the appropriate horrible relationships that damaged his self-confidence for years. Then out of nowhere Curiosity Quills Press demanded he give them his books, and here he is. 
As for what he writes, Richard loves children and the gothic aesthetic. Most everything he writes will involve one or the other, and occasionally both. His fantasy is heavily influenced by folk tales, fairy tales, and mythology, and he likes to make the old new again. In particular, he loves to pull his readers into strange characters with strange lives, and his heroes are rarely heroic.

Find Him: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Losing It: A Collection of V-Cards {Release Blitz}

Happy Release Day Authors!!

22 Bestselling YA authors reveal what went on behind the curtain in your favorite YA novels! From paranormal to contemporary, this collection features over 200 pages of ALL NEW CONTENT full of deleted scenes, extended endings, and more from the young adult series’ you love. 

In this YA/NA crossover collection, all of your favorite heroines are cashing in their VCards! YA just got steamy, sexy, and not afraid to go all the way!

Due to the graphic nature of some content, this collection is recommended strictly for mature readers. 

Stories include excerpts and extended material—ALL NEW CONTENT—featuring the following YA novels & authors:

The Grimoire Saga by SM Boyce

The Death Series by Tamara Rose Blodgett

Penny Black Trilogy by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Dirty Blood series by Heather Hildenbrand

The Mythology Series by Helen Boswell

Stories About Melissa Series by Bethany Lopez

Keegan’s Chronicles by Julia Crane

The Tate Chronicles by K.A. Last

Fragile Creatures by Kristina Circelli

The Spellbound Trilogy by Nikki Jefford

Judgement of the Six Series by Melissa Haag

A Dark Faerie Tale Series by Alexia Purdy

The Double Threat Series by Julie Prestsater

The Elsker Saga by S.T. Bende

Ovialell Series by Tish Thawer

The Runes Series by Ednah Walters

The Cornerstone Series by Misty Provencher

The Waiting Series by Ginger Scott

Forged Series by A.O. Peart

The Arotas Series by Amy Miles

Funeral Crashing Mysteries by Milda Harris

The Wolf Trilogy by M.R. Polish

Helpful Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Want to know what it was like for these YA authors to write the dirty details?

Hop on over to their blogs and find out! Hear about their “firsts” writing the sexy scenes and get entered to win paperbacks from each and other awesome prizes! The full schedule and participating sites can be found here (through 2/18/15).

22 Shades of Virginity…

Join all of the authors for a special Twitter chat on Thursday, Feb 11 from 7-9pm. Come hang and get all of your burning questions answered! Ask us anything and don’t forget to use: #VCARD

The Good Girls Have Gone Wild!!

Want a sneak peek behind the curtain with these authors? Request access to the Champagne Room on FB, a private, VIP group where you’ll get excerpts, giveaways, and the dirty details about the VCards we’ve cashed in…in our stories, of course!

Request exclusive access here

*Must be 18 to enter