Spotlight: Rachel Van Dyken

Today's spotlight is on Rachel Van Dyken, the author of the Seaside series, the London Fairy Tales series, the Wallflower trilogy (co-authored with me), the Renwick House books, and several other widely-read titles.

I don't know if you know this or not, but Rachel has a recent release (August 12, 2013) entitled Ruin, which she wrote for her uncle who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. All proceeds for the first two weeks of sales from Ruin will be going to help out with his medical bills. That alone is an excellent reason to check this book out.

BUT...

If you needed another reason to induce you, I have read Ruin and can tell you it is one of her best books to date, so it is well worth both your time and the minimal amount it will take to make this book yours!

We want to help out Rachel's uncle as much as possible, so to that end I am going to post the buy links for Ruin here, and then ask you to Tweet, FB, and spread the word as much as possible. To thank you for all that helpfulness, I have two signed uncorrected proof paperbacks of Ruin to give away.

In order to be eligible for the drawing for one of these two books, just leave me a comment below letting me know you shared the links (and an email where I can reach you if your name is drawn).

Here are the details about Ruin:

FROM THE COVER:

I'm not your typical girl. I've been running away from the memories that haunt me for so long that the shroud of depression has become my only comfort. Ignorant, I was content in the darkness… until Wes Michels offered to be my light.

I didn't know that time wasn't my ally, that every second that ticked pass was one closer to the end of something that was starting to mean the end of myself.  He tried to warn me and promised me what he was able to offer, each moment as it came, but it would never be enough.

Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying.  And when you think it's the end, the final curtain, sometimes that’s only the beginning.  Wes thought he could save me, but in giving me everything, he ruined me. Because after one kiss, one touch, I couldn't… I wouldn't ever be the same. And from that moment on, his heartbeat became my own.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon              Barnes & Noble                Smashwords

Also available in the iTunes store!

REMEMBER: If you are interested in entering the drawing for one of two signed paperback copies of Ruin (uncorrected proofs), just leave a comment below to let me know you shared the buy links. I'll draw for the two recipients on Monday, August 27th.

Meet & Greet: Marley Ryan

Marley Ryan

As the daughter of a high-profile Boston businessman, she has lived a charmed life. A charmed life provided for by an over-protective father. In fact, once when she stubbed her toe on a living room coffee table, her father took the offending piece of furniture out in the back yard and chopped it into splinters.

Understandably, Marley is more than a little anxious to get out of the house and live life on her own. She chooses Miami for college... the farthest away on the eastern seaboard she can possibly travel and still be in the country.

Of course, a young woman on her own for the first time is bound to fall into some trouble, whether of her own making or the kind that just happens to find her.

~No Backing Out (in progress)

Friday Favorite: Feudlings

Feudlings

by Wendy Knight

This is the first book in the series. I believe the next one is due to come out on August 1st. I so can't wait! Of all the books I've read so far this summer, I LOVE this one the most. And I don't typically go in for this genre, so yeah, that's saying something. Definitely a HUGE recommend on this one!

Here's the blurb:

Nothing makes a new school suck worse than discovering the guy you’re in love with is your prophesied nemesis.

Ari is the most powerful flame-throwing sorceress ever, and her people’s last hope in an ancient war. But she’s also a seventeen-year-old girl, and in her free, not-hunting-nemesis times, she jumps from school to school, trying to figure out regular people her own age and pretending she’ll get the chance to graduate.

Shane lives a double life. He goes to school and masters the art of popularity, hiding the fact that he has a fate with a slim chance of his survival. He’s destined to end a 300 year-old war by killing or being killed. He knows he’s hunted by a powerful enemy who’s not afraid to die. Only problem? He has no idea who that enemy is.

When Ari shows up at Shane’s school, angry and sullen and determined to keep him at arm’s reach, neither of them realize they are supposed to be killing each other, not falling in love. Until Ari does realize it, and she almost dies – by Shane’s hand.

Here's where you can get it:

Amazon                      Barnes & Noble                    Astraea Press

Also available pretty much anywhere ebooks are sold, so if you don't see your preferred retailer above, you're still not out of luck. :) Plus, you can get it in paperback too!

If you're intrigued and want to know more about the Feudlings series or get updates about the new releases, check out the Wendy Knight's Facebook page.

Meet and Greet: Jack Donnelly

Jack Donnelly

If you're riding the shuttle from the airport to the school campus, Jack is the first person you're going to meet. He might seem distracted at first, but once you get his attention you'll experience the smooth-talking, easy-going nature of this guy firsthand.

He rocks the surfer look. And his favorite subjects for a first conversation include Viking raids and tours of the city. Just beware that if you turn down his first attempt to ask you out, he won't give up... even if he has to follow you to your dorm room and give you the puppy dog look.

Other interests include electric guitar, surfing, working for the bad guys, and Marley Ryan.

~ No Backing Out (in progress)

A to Z: Marley

Marley Ryan poked her head into her father’s private office. “I’m heading out, Dad.” The handful of his associates meeting with him turned to appraise the intrusion.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were in a meeting. I just wanted to say goodbye.”

Her father stood and strode toward her.

“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart,” he said with a sad smile. “Gentlemen, my daughter. She is heading off to Miami for school.”

A few of them nodded their approval.

“Miami? Can you believe it?” Peter Ryan shook his head with a laugh. “With such a prestigious school as Boston University right in her own backyard, Harvard right down the road?”

The men murmured their agreement.

“Marley, I wish you would reconsider and let me drive you to the airport.” He took her hands in his and met her gaze with those pitiful clear green eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that, Dad. We already talked about it. You’re busy. It’s fine. I’m a big girl now.” She squeezed his hands tenderly and cast a glance over her shoulder toward the door. Why did he have to make this so difficult? She was minutes away from freedom.

The heavy sigh that came from her father made her cringe.

“Don’t worry about me. Oscar will drive me, and I’ve already arranged transportation from the airport to the school when I get there. I promise. I won’t talk to strangers, and I’ll only date full-blooded Irish boys.”

At that he rolled his eyes and released her hands. A low chuckle rumbled from the men in his office.

“Sounds like a bright girl, Mr. Ryan,” one of them said.

“All right, Marley.” Her father put his hand on her shoulder and smiled. “I trust you.”

“It’s all those full-blooded Irish boys who shouldn’t be trusted,” another man added.

Mr. Ryan shot him a look of feigned disgust then turned back to his daughter.

“Go on now, before these old boys change my mind for me.”

Marley wasn’t about to make him tell her again. With maybe a little too much exuberance she stretched up on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Okay, bye, Dad! I’ll call you when I get settled.” And then she was out the door, down the steps, and in the car before he could answer her.