Blog Tour + #Giveaway: Under a Million Star by Rita Branches @rita_branches @yaboundtourspr

Under a Million Stars
by Rita Branches
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 8th 2016

Summary from Goodreads:

Can a beating heart bleed from the shattered pieces?

Her heart cracked when her best friend walked away; it completely shattered when she lost her family in a tragic accident.

Now orphaned at seventeen, Charlotte Peterson is forced to live with her former best friend, Jacob Parker. Charlie, a talented pianist, desperately wants their loving friendship back, but something is holding Jake back. The more she spirals into the darkness of depression, the more she needs him.

Jacob vowed to stay away from her—no matter how much he still loved her. Armed with secrets that would have destroyed both of their families, he chose to end their friendship and walk away, which nearly killed him. As he watches the girl he once knew begin to fade away, however, he realizes that their relationship is more important than the truth he's hiding.

Now it's up to Jacob to put the pieces of Charlie's broken heart back together—even if it means revealing the secrets he so desperately wants to protect her from.
Will Jacob find a way to bring back the carefree, talented girl he once knew, or is it too late for both of them?

*It's a Stand-alone*  

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Excerpt

Charlie

I was so curious to see where he was taking me that I didn’t pay attention to where I put my feet. I stumbled a few times before reaching the car door. He was serious, and I didn’t want him to give up on our stroll, so I kept my mouth closed. I focused on the landscape: the huge trees that shadowed the car. When we were closer to home, he turned onto a dirt road I knew well. After a few hundred meters, he turned again onto an even older road, where the car bounced on the potholes.

I sat straighter in my seat. “You’re taking me to…” I didn’t finish, but my heart started pounding. No, I hadn’t been there in two years. The last time was too painful to remember, and I didn’t understand why he was bringing me here again. Was he a masochist, or did he not care at all?

He parked the car far from the house, because the road was overgrown with bushes, but it just made the scene even more beautiful. The house was just as I’d remembered.

The abandoned farmhouse was situated just to the north of our town, where other houses started to sit farther away from each other. It hugged the south shore of one of the smallest lakes at the base of the mountain. It looked like it had been taken off the cover of a mystery novel, and I’d always loved it. Constructed of wood, the two-story structure was almost a hundred years old, and almost all of the windows were broken.

The front entrance was now covered with weeds; when we were kids, we kept them pulled, but now, with no one to care about it, they’d grown almost to the base of the windows.

Mr. Sullivan, the owner of the house and land that surrounded it, including the entire lake, lived in one of those homes for the elderly. He was almost ninety and had no close family. We’d met him when we were seven and used to visit my grandmother there, before she passed away. But Mr. Sullivan was a great friend of hers and we considered him family ever since.

I’d used to visit him all the time. He had never sold the house, because anyone who would have bought it was likely to destroy everything and build apartment complexes or luxury houses for the rich. He had never agreed to it, so I’d used to joke that, one day, this would be mine, and I would never sell it. Jacob and I would buy the house, restore it, and live there forever.

He’d smiled and said, “Oh, dear, I wish my wife and I had a daughter just like you. When you grow up, you won’t want to live there, though. It is too peaceful for a young person.” I had answered that I loved it because of the peaceful feeling emanating from it.

Jacob and I had used to come here all the time, ever since we were allowed to play alone in the street. This was our secret place; we’d gone through the small forest behind his house to come play around the house, inside it, or even in the lake, when the weather was warm enough.

When our parents had found out that we’d been coming here, they’d grounded us, saying it was too dangerous to be here alone and that the house was old and falling apart, which could hurt us. After that, we’d been more careful about not letting our parents know, but we’d still come to the house almost every day, until two years ago, when we’d kissed.

“Come on,” Jacob said, taking me out of my stupor. We climbed the weak steps that lead to the front porch, and I dragged myself to the front door, which earned me a frown from Jacob.

“Have you come back here, after…” I let the words drop, but his eyes were shadowed for a second, before he nodded, while kicking the door lightly to open it.

“A couple of times when I was… you know, down.” He looked around the hall before letting me in. One big hole greeted us, making the passage difficult. “I think a storm weakened the roof that gave in, there.” He pointed to the ceiling, where I could see the blue sky. “A piece of it fell on the already-weak floor—I almost fell through the first time I saw it.” I let out an involuntary shriek, and he frowned again. He could have been killed here and nobody would have found him.

“The rest of the house is still the same, with a few more holes and broken windows.” He stopped walking and talking the moment we reached the living room. It was exactly the way it had been the last time we’d been here. It would have been more normal if it had been empty, but it wasn’t.

We’d made a house of it, with a small sofa we’d found on the street, a mattress that had gotten too old for my mother’s approval, a couple of blankets we’d stolen from our houses, and boxes full of stuff our mothers had wanted us to get rid of, including some clothes and snacks that were probably spoiled by now.

Jacob had left the room exactly as it had been that day. I leaned against the door and braced myself for the pain that was bound to come at any second. I closed my eyes for a minute, and it was like I went back in time. The two years that had passed evaporated.

Author Interview:

When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I always loved to read and build up stories in my mind, but I started writing in high school.

What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?

My mother always read to me, since I can remember, I suppose I started reading those children’s books as soon as I was able to. In English (my first language isn’t English, for those of you who don’t know), it was Harry Potter. I couldn’t wait for the next book to be available in Portuguese, so I bought it in English and realized it was easy to understand, so I started reading more and more in English.

What genre of books do you enjoy reading?

Right now, it’s New Adult and Young Adult (which is what I write) but I read almost anything.

What is your favorite book?

It’s difficult to say. I went to my goodreads’ favorite’s bookshelf for this question and I have 67 books there and I try to be selective with the books I put there. The firsts that come to my mind are: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma (really depressing but beautiful), The Host by Stephenie Meyer (like the whole concept of that world), A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks (it’s Nicholas Sparks, I don’t need to mention it’s depressing). Harry Potter, of course.

But the most well built and that I felt was not understood, was Hunger Games, I think it’s much deeper than people think, I watched the last movie (I read the books long ago) and kept linking the story to what’s happening now in the world, with the refugees, with the world leaders… and I think the public didn’t understand what was under the romance (which is next to nothing and very well done, realistically speaking).

You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?

It’s the same with favorite books, it’s hard to say. I think J. K. Rowling is brilliant, and for the reasons I stated above, Suzanne Collins is as well.

If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?

Have you watch documentaries on the health problems? The lack of hygiene? I’m kidding - but not really. I like to visit historic places and imagine what it would be like to live there in the past, but I can’t say I would like to live in the past - I’m more curious about the future.

When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?

It depends on the day, there are days I can’t write a sentence that sounds right. When I finished Under a Million Stars, I wrote 10k words in one day and it came out perfectly (even though I went to bed with sore eyes).

Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?

Two amazing dogs, both rescued from the street.

What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?

I love sushi and pasta.

Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?

Write, write, write, the more you write, even if it isn’t a story you wish to publish, writing, like with everything in life needs practice. You’ll get better with each paragraph. Then take a chance and publish it. Don’t get stuck on the idea that no one wants to read your stories.

About the Author

Hi! I'm Rita Branches. I was born and raised in in Portugal and I'm going to independently publish my debut novel in the Spring of 2016, Painting Sky.

I am so happy that you decided to take a look at my work.

Little bit about myself: along with being a writer, I am also a landscape architect. I started writing to bring 'to life' the stories that my mind created.

I LOVE to read. It was and always will be my passion.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

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Review + #Giveaway: Slip (Slip #1) by David Estes @davidestesbooks

Slip (Slip #1)

by David Estes

Published December 1st 2014

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction

Blurb:

Someone must die before another can be born...

As sea levels rise and livable landmasses shrink, the Reorganized United States of America has instituted population control measures to ensure there are sufficient resources and food to sustain the growing population. Birth authorization must be paid for and obtained prior to having a child. Someone must die before another can be born, keeping the country in a population neutral position at what experts consider to be the optimal population. The new laws are enforced by a ruthless government organization known as Pop Con, responsible for terminating any children resulting from unauthorized births, and any illegals who manage to survive past their second birthday, at which point they are designated a national security threat and given the name Slip.

But what if one child slipped through the cracks? What if someone knew all the loopholes and how to exploit them? Would it change anything? Would the delicate resource balance be thrown into a tailspin, threatening the lives of everyone?

And how far would the government go to find and terminate the Slip?

In a gripping story of a family torn apart by a single choice, Slip is a reminder of the sanctity of a single life and the value of the lives we so often take for granted.

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Guest Post:

Plotter or Pantser?

By David Estes

Every author has their own way of doing things, and there’s not necessarily a “right” way to write a novel. From my humble beginnings as I stumbled through writing my first book, to now, having written and published more than 20 twenty novels, I have always been a pantser at heart. It’s funny, I never really made a conscious decision to say, “Hey, I’m too cool to outline, so I’m just going to sit down and start writing!” It was more that the thought of writing an outline made me cringe and think of school and homework. It just wasn’t for me, and if anything, would’ve stifled my creativity and artistic process. That being said, I am not an advocate of writing by the seat of one’s pants; you simply have to write the way YOU feel works the best for YOU. That could be a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline, complete with character cards, character arcs, major plot points and twists, etc, or something less specific, say a rough outline. In any case, here’s how I roll:

I start with an idea. The hook of the story, as it’s called. From there I just close my eyes and think for a while. If my idea were a type of cooking, you could say I let it marinate. This is one of my favorite parts of the writing process, because there are no limitations, and the possibilities are endless. This is where I make the idea MY story. I let various characters speak to me, some of whom end up being the perfect characters for my book, and others who don’t fit quite right, and never see the light of day. I consider major plot points, characters attributes, twists, etc. This is my outline, only it’s all in my head.

From there, I jot down some bullet points. Not many, maybe a dozen. These are the sparks that will help me light the fire that will carry my book to completion. I don’t necessarily have to stick to all of these points, but in many cases I do.

What do I do next?

I start writing! That’s what makes me a pantser. The entire preparation phase for a new project for me is a couple of hours. That’s it. The stories I have inside me are like a flood building behind a dam, demanding to be let through. So I poke a hole or two. I literally sit down, write the title or working title for the book, and then “Chapter One”, and then I go. I don’t agonize over the first word or the first line, I don’t seek perfection, I just start writing whatever pops into this strange head of mine, and then see where that takes me. At the end of my first writing session, which is usually between two and three thousand words, I take a bunch more notes, because NOW the ideas are really flowing and the story is starting to take even more shape in my head. I don’t try to push things too much during the first week or two, keeping my daily word counts relatively low, because sometimes the more important time I spend is sitting back and THINKING.

As the weeks go on, I ramp things up, writing four, five, or even six thousand words a day, the story pouring out of me, moving from a light rain to a torrential downpour. The story is like a living, breathing thing, changing, growing, surprising even ME with the twists and turns it takes. On numerous occasions my readers have applauded me for twists that “shocked” them. I have to admit, sometimes those twists shocked me too! A good example is one of my most popular dystopian series, THE SLIP TRILOGY, where there are a number of twists from book to book. Honestly, I didn’t come up with most of those twists until almost just before they appear in the books! The biggest one of all, which makes PERFECT SENSE, didn’t come to me until the very end of the third book. But when it did, I jumped out of my chair and did a fist pump and probably looked completely insane. Because it was perfect, poetic and chilling and everything a twist is supposed to be. After I thought of it, I wondered why it took me so long to come up with it. And then I realized it was because I needed to let the rest of the story build first, preparing myself and my characters for that particular revelation. For me, that’s a major part of what I love about being a pantser, the excitement that comes as each new piece of the puzzle takes shape in my mind, clicking into place to form something that was MEANT TO BE.

As I like to say, creativity breeds creativity, and until you start writing, you don’t really know what kind of story you have. At least that’s the way it is for me, from the very beginning. There is no right or wrong way to write a book, only a right way for each author. For me, that’s PANTSER all the way! If you’re interested in checking out THE SLIP TRILOGY, or any of my other dystopian and post-apocalyptic books, check out my Amazon author profile for a full listing.

Happy Reading!

My Review:

Imagine living in a world where if you want to have a baby then someone else must die. Before you can have said child then you must register the birth and get a Death Match for your baby. But what if your child’s death match was a dud? What if the person that was supposed to die so you could have your baby didn’t? What would happen to your child? To you? To your family? This happened to Michael Kelly and his family. His son’s death match did not die. Now his child is a “Slip”.  

Michael must now keep his child, the boy with no name a secret from the rest of the world. He keeps him locked up away from the eyes of the world. This is all the boy with no name has ever known. He loves and trusts his father and only wants to make him happy by always doing what he tells him to do so therefor he never tries to leave or run away. But like all kids he is very inquisitive and has lots of questions for father about his life.

Michael works for the company that is in control of the population, PopCon and it is run by the government. PopCon hunts down the slips and kills them and anyone who is harboring them. Michael is not happy with his job and doesn’t like what he does but he does his job for his family and the boy with no name. It all goes back to what lengths would you go to for your child? What would you do to protect your child?

I know I have said this many times before but I know for a fact that Slip is one book that I will never forget. I really love the whole concept that made Slip what it is although; I did do my share of crying at times. I can’t understand how anyone could have so much hate in their hearts. How could anyone live like this without ever questioning it? I guess it is just like any society where you are told something and it is passed down from generation to generation and before long no one is left alive that knew what life was like before. So therefor no one thinks to question it or think outside the box so to speak.

If you like reading science fiction, dystopian books with some awesome characters that live in a world where one must die before another can be born then you are going to love Slip. Pick your copy of Slip today so that you can enter into the lives of the “Slips”. Trust me you won’t regret it. 

About the Author:

David Estes has written more than 20 YA and Children's science fiction and fantasy books. He has a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), is a mad-skilled ping-pong player, an obsessive Goodreads group member, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table. He loves chatting with his readers, all of whom he considers to be his friends. David lives in Hawaii with his beautiful Aussie wife, Adele, his asthmatic cat, Bailey, and his rambunctious son, Beau.

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Book Blitz + #Giveaway: Versions by Megan Mitcham @MeganMMMitcham @XpressoTours

Versions
Megan Mitcham
(Base Branch, #7)
Publication date: August 9th 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

The truth doesn’t have versions. Or does it?

Rin Lee covered her childhood in dirt and danced on its grave. Only she pranced a little too hard and spent her young-adult life tiptoeing the straight and narrow. Things finally paid off in the form of a job with the Department of Defense, a home of her own, and a boyfriend muscled enough he put Zach Efron to shame. Until one text reveals a hideous truth that splinters her world.

Suddenly she can’t trust Nate or their surrogate family of friends. Can she possibly trust Luck—the man who mirrors her soul, scares her beyond the neat confines she’s erected around herself, and makes her scrutinize the versions she’s always been too angry to see?

Luck turned to the streets out of necessity, while Rin slapped on blinders and ignored those willing to help her. A stupid move for a sultry young woman. But the skills she learned in the rough and tumble underbelly of DC will serve his latest assignment well. Because people like them have the instinct to survive.

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You can also get Enemy Mine (Base Branch #1) for FREE on:

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SNEAK A PEEK AT VERSIONS:

“Evening, gentlemen. Ladies.” The silken honey of the unfamiliar voice coated her nakedness in a soothing balm. The waiter cleared his throat. The low rumble vibrated very near her ear. “What can I get you, miss?”
She canted her head in his direction. Surprise smacked her square in the face. Smoldering bedroom eyes gazed into hers. The crystal blue orbs pierced through a strong brow and straight into her soul. Rin stepped back, stumbling over Nate’s feet. A thud sounded her landing against her boyfriend’s hard chest.
“Whoa, there,” the waiter said, maintaining an invisible grip on Rin that made it impossible to look away.
Blond hair only a shade darker than her own sat in disarray across his forehead, but was shorn close around his ears. The hint of a beard hugged the strongest jaw she’d ever seen. Lips the perfect shape and fullness for hours and hours of kissing would have softened the blow his appearance delivered, if he’d only smile.
“You startled me,” she said by way of explanation for her odd behavior.
“Wasn’t my intention.” He said the words, but his head ticked to the side and his eyes flared in a way that opposed them.
“What’s your name, gorgeous?” Jen asked.
“Call me Luck,” the waiter said, holding Rin’s befuddled gaze.
Nate steadied her and shifted to place himself between her and the…her and Luck, but a massive party of suits poured in to their left. They crowded the walkway with banter and briefcases. The man screwing with her head—more than her shrink ever had—could have stepped to the side of the table toward Zach. Instead, he stepped forward, crowding her with his sharply muscled chest tucked neatly into a waiter’s white button down. Chiseled forearms and lightly sun-kissed skin shown at his rolled sleeves.
Whether someone shoved him or he took a dive she wasn’t sure, but his sinewy chest suddenly plastered her front. One arm wrapped around her waist, catching her in a subtle dip. His other shot out to the chair back to steady them. She swore she heard Gregory moan. Luck’s muscles in action did something sinful to her psyche.
“Jackass, I’m not into threesomes,” Nate blustered just behind her head. She’d see him, if she’d tear her gaze off Luck. But she couldn’t.
Luck lifted his heavy blue gaze from her for the first time and squared it on Nate. “Me neither.”
Until that moment, she’d been sure Nate could have defended her honor or his ego against any man. He probably outweighed Luck by fifty muscle-dense pounds. Luck had a foot of height on him, but his calm voice and confident demeanor had her more than second guessing the outcome. Then again, Nate had a gun.
For the oddest reason, she didn’t think that would matter if the two got into it.
“Luck,” Rin said, “how about you tip a girl upright and bring her a Peroni, a glass of Casarena cabernet, a Goose Island, a Bourbon Spice Rack, and a Hot Delilah…make that two Delilah’s.” The first impression of a smile lightened the corner of his mouth. He straightened and released her, his hand sweeping firmly over the sway of her waist. The touch lingered for far too long. “Anyone else feeling a double?”

Author Bio:
USA Today bestselling author Megan Mitcham was born and raised among the live oaks and shrimp boats of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where her enormous family still calls home. She attended college at the University of Southern Mississippi where she received a bachelor's degree in curriculum, instruction, and special education. For several years Megan worked as a teacher in Mississippi. She married and moved to South Carolina and worked for an international non-profit organization as an instructor and co-director.

In 2009 Megan fell in love with books. Until then, books had been a source for research or the topic of tests. But one day she read Mercy by Julie Garwood. And Oh Mercy, she was hooked!

 Megan lives in Southern Arkansas where she pens sizzling suspense novels. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & Goodreads. For news, giveaways, and exclusive offers sign up for her newsletter at www.meganmitcham.com!

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Cover/Trailer Reveal: Brainwalker by Robyn Mundell & Stephan Lacast @yaboundtourspr

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