Behind the Story #2: xxLastSummerxx

Behind the Story Saturdays are my new biweekly feature posts that spotlight Wattpad writers! 
Today I have the honor of hosting xxLastSummerxx aka Summer!

Author: Summer
Series: None
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Action

Summary from Wattpad: 

"Rule number one," He whispers, pulling back to look me right in the eye, "Never let your guard down."

He flashes me a cunning smirk as I stare at him, stunned at what he had just done. Only, he makes a mistake of turning to see what everyone else ahead of the bleachers is doing. I smirk and take a step back forcefully. Just as he turns his head back to face me, I swing my arm at his face. 

“No. That’s rule two,” I snap, “Rule one is never turn your back to your opponent.” 

Faye Williams is not the type of girl who would call for the attention. However, she calls things as she sees them. Faye's not afraid to use her fist, for that's all she's ever known. Some call her a good girl while others call her a rebel. What most people don't know is that she's witnessed things that not many people get to witness. With an unstable mother who blames her for a needed divorce, she's seen, heard, and knows plenty. It's not until she moves to Miami, Florida with her dad, that trouble arises. Let's just say that the odds are not in her favor, especially when it comes to that notorious 'bad kid' Travis. Yet, for some reason, she feels that fixing the bad boy will mend herself. When a powerful gang leader, a notorious bad boy, vengeful mother, and two faced acquaintances enter the equation, Faye knows there's nothing to save her now.

Author Events Recap and Giveaway!

Maggie Hall and Jay Asher Recap

Two weeks ago, debut author Maggie Hall came to my local bookstore to celebrate the release of her book, The Conspiracy of Us. I got a seat in the very back (meaning no pictures for this post because they weren't good) because I arrived late. Luckily, the only thing I missed was the employee introducing Maggie.
After that, Maggie gave a brief intro of herself and her travels, along with some information about the awesome tattoos she was sporting. 

Then the Q & A and began. I won't go into detail for all the questions because there were a lot asked. Most of the them circulated around publishing, such as how long the whole process took, editing, etc. Along with that, they were questions about the book and characters like the inspiration behind the story, the origin of the cover, etc. Because I sat way in the back, I happened to be right by the check out counter, so I was first to snag a book for the signing following the Q & A. I got pretty near the front of the line, so I didn't have to wait too long. After I talked to Maggie, I found Dahlia Adler in the crowd and got a picture with her too.

                                 

   

Let me say that I'm super awkward around authors. I still remember the first time I went to an author event and just stood there mentally freaking out while the authors signed my books. I don't think I said anything more then my name and thank you. *cringes* Anyway, I've gotten a bit better at making small talk without full on fangirling, which brings me to my recap of Jay Asher's 50 States Against Bullying tour. 

My school was lucky enough to be chosen as part of Asher's tour, so of course I was extremely excited when I found out because it's Jay Asher! At the presentation, I discovered that Asher is a really chill and funny person. He briefly introduced himself and 13 Reasons Why and went on to discuss the inspiration behind it, the number of times it was rejected before published, and how readers have responded to the book. Asher did a wonderful job of balancing out the amount of humor and entertainment with the serious talk of bullying and suicide during his presentation.

While I was in line for the signing, I could hear students in front of me telling Asher about people they personally know who have been bullied or how they themselves suffer from depression, and more importantly, their feelings of gratefulness in knowing that they aren't alone. I was so nervous when talking to Jay Asher that I forgot to get a picture with him! Total fail on my part. These are the times when I wish I wasn't so introverted. Hahah. But overall, this has probably been one of my favorite author events not just of the way Asher presented the topic, but the fact that it served as a  reminder to people that everything affects everything.

          

So to celebrate reasons why you matter, I'm finally hosting the signed swag giveaway I promised a while back!

US Only; Ends February 14th (Visit my Policy page for all rules)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday #31

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine, that highlights upcoming releases we're anticipating.

Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: February 3, 2015

Summary From Goodreads: 

The romantic sequel to Alienated takes long-distance relationships to a new level as Cara and Aelyx long for each other from opposite ends of the universe...until a threat to both their worlds reunites them.
Cara always knew life on planet L’eihr would be an adjustment. With Aelyx, her L’eihr boyfriend, back on Earth, working to mend the broken alliance between their two planets, Cara is left to fend for herself at a new school, surrounded by hostile alien clones. Even the weird dorm pet hates her.
Things look up when Cara is appointed as human representative to a panel preparing for a human colony on L’eihr. A society melding their two cultures is a place where Cara and Aelyx could one day make a life together. But with L’eihr leaders balking at granting even the most basic freedoms, Cara begins to wonder if she could ever be happy on this planet, even with Aelyx by her side.
Meanwhile, on Earth, Aelyx, finds himself thrown into a full-scale PR campaign to improve human-L’eihr relations. Humans don’t know that their very survival depends on this alliance: only Aelyx’s people have the technology to fix the deadly contamination in the global water supply that human governments are hiding. Yet despite their upper hand, the leaders of his world suddenly seem desperate to get humans on their side, and hardly bat an eye at extremists’ multiple attempts on Aelyx’s life.
The Way clearly needs humans’ help . . . but with what? And what will they ask for in return?

Cover Reveal: All Played Out by Cora Carmack

Holy smokes are we excited to bring you the cover for Cora Carmack's All Played Out! All Played Out is a New Adult Contemporary Romance and is the 3rd book in the Rusk University Series, published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins. It is due to be released on May 12, 2015!! If you haven't had a chance to read this sexy, fun series yet, be sure to grab ALL LINED UP and ALL BROKE DOWN!

Cover Reveal: Everlost (Night Watchmen #3) by Candace Knoebel

Author: Candace Knoebel

Genre: Paranormal, Romance, YA

Release Date: Summer 2015

Summary:

One truth will unravel them all.

Faye Middleton thought the worst had come to pass the night she and her friends barely escaped from Ethryeal City and the clutches of the evil Priestess Clara. Officially shunned from the Coven, Faye is forced to lay low in order to come up with a plan to bring Clara down.

At Jaxen’s childhood manor, they were supposed to be safe from any outside issues, and they were… until his long-lost mother shows up. Determined to win back what she lost so long ago, Evangeline reveals a secret that could shatter their beliefs, or be their saving grace.

Now, with two Covens searching for Faye, they must find a way to start over. With the help of the Rebellion, they begin the arduous task of forming their own army. However, the choices they are faced with leave them questioning everything they’ve ever known.

Waiting on Wednesday #30

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine, that highlights upcoming releases we're anticipating.

Author: Victoria Scott
Series: Fire & Flood
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Dystopian, Romance
Release Date: February 24, 2015

Summary From Goodreads: 

In Fire & Flood, Tella Holloway faced a dangerous trek through the jungle and across the desert, all to remain a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed for a chance at obtaining the Cure for her brother. She can't quit--she has to win the race, save Cody, and then fight to make sure the race stops before it can claim any more lives. In the next legs of the race, across the ocean and over mountains, Tella will face frostbite, sharks, avalanche, and twisted new rules in the race.
But what if the danger is deeper than that? How do you know who to trust when everyone's keeping secrets? What do you do when the person you'd relied on most suddenly isn't there for support? How do you weigh one life against another?
The race is coming to an end, and Tella is running out of time, resources, and strength. At the start of the race there were one hundred twenty-two Contenders. As Tella and her remaining friends start the final part of the race, just forty-one are left--and only one can win.

Waiting on Wednesday #29

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine, that highlights upcoming releases we're anticipating.

Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series: Red Queen
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Dystopian, Romance
Release Date: February 10, 2015

Summary From Goodreads: 

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers. 

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control. But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

Behind the Story #1: LikkleAngel

Behind the Story Saturdays are my new biweekly feature posts that spotlight Wattpad writers! For inquires on being hosted, please visit the Wattpad page on my blog.

Today I have the honor of introducing LikkleAngel!

Author: LikkleAngel
Series: None
Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance

Summary from Wattpad: 

"Being a teenager sucks, all you can really do is stumble through the years." School. Grades. Judgements. Bullies. Popularity. Mood swings. Peer pressure. Dating. Willow Jamison is, popular, friendly, and is a head cheerleader with a passion for dance. Not to forget she has two hot guys trailing after her. That's pretty much as close to perfect as it gets. Except she doesn't like either of them. She's not interested in finding love, but her friends are determined to find it for her. Derek Reeds is pretty much invisible. He keeps to himself and doesn't really care what people think of him besides his three best friends. He's determined to make it through the hell of high school and leave the limelight for people like Willow Jamison. They're both teenagers, and yeah it sucks to be stumbling through. But it's not so bad when you find the right person to help you.