Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Between the Stars and Sky Release Day!!

BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY IS OUT TODAY!

A note from the author: I'm so excited for BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY to finally be released. This book is... different for me. First, it's a contemporary story. It's real. It could happen. Writing something like that was so different for me I wasn't sure if I could do it. But then I found these characters, and in Jackson and Sarah I found a place where I loved to write. Second, this story. THIS STORY. I didn't think I would get through it. It's one of those stories that is so big and so small and so delicate and so IN YOUR FACE lovely and scary and sad and happy that I wasn't sure I could make it through this book alive. But again, THESE CHARACTERS. I love them. And I love this story. It's a minimalistic story, so there is very little filler. Just words that mean something. To Jackson, the main character, this is important. I took what was important to the characters and reflected that in the way I told the story. This isn't a long story, but it is a big one. Complete with a crazy, scary dare, a secret game. A test of bravery. A love story. Kisses. Betrayals. First loves. Second loves. Diverse loves. All kinds of loves. Life and death. Fear and not. And in the end, I'm not sure if this story wrote me, or I wrote it. I guess you'll find out. :)

If you have questions about the content of this story, READ HERE.

"Between the Stars and Sky
 is a vivid contemporary novel from Young Adult author David James. Lyrical and deeply romantic, Between the Stars and Sky is a poetic and heart-stopping read for fans of Lauren Oliver, Gayle Forman, and E. Lockhart.

 In the small, lakeside town of Huntington, the Firelight Festival marks the end of summer. A time to laugh, to live, to love. And for Jackson Grant, it is a chance to begin again. But there is a darker side to the Firelight Festival, a deadly tradition known as the Firelight Fall. A secret game. A legendary lie. A test of bravery. Those who fall risk everything, and Jackson is on the edge. Until he meets a girl who pushes him over. For Jackson, falling for Sarah Blake might be as dangerous as jumping in the Firelight Fall. As summer burns away, Jackson and Sarah ignite an unstoppable love game. For her, his heart is on fire. And soon, Sarah shows him life, saves him from loss, and opens his heart to an infinite and wild love found between the stars and sky."

 David James writes books about stars and kisses and curses. He is the author of the YA novel, LIGHT OF THE MOON, the first book in the Legend of the Dreamer duet, as well as the companion novellas, THE WITCH'S CURSE and THE WARRIOR’S CODE. A Legend of the Dreamer anthology, SHADES OF THE STARS, was released July 2013, and includes the exclusive novella, THE ENCHANTER'S FIRE. The final book in the duet, SHADOW OF THE SUN, will be released in 2015. BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY is his first contemporary novel for young adults. Living in Michigan, he is addicted to coffee, gummy things, and sarcastic comments. David enjoys bad movies, goofy moments, and shivery nights. Also, hipster glasses!

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Monday, September 22, 2014

Imitation by Heather Hildenbrand Tour Stop



Everyone is exactly like me. There is no one like me.

Ven wrestles with these contradicting truths every day. A clone of wealthy eighteen-year-old Raven Rogen, Ven knows everything about the girl she was created to serve: the clothes she wears, the boys she loves, the friends she loves to hate. Yet she’s never met the Authentic Raven face-to-face. 

Imitations like Ven only get to leave the lab when they’re needed—to replace a dead Authentic, donate an organ, or complete a specific mission. And Raven has never needed Ven . . . until now.
When there is an attack on Raven’s life, Ven is thrust into the real world, posing as Raven to draw out the people who tried to harm her. But as Ven dives deeper into Raven’s world, she begins to question everything she was ever told. She exists for Raven, but is she prepared to sacrifice herself for a girl she’s never met?

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 What can I possibly say about Heather Hildenbrand that yall don’t already know? Just when I think she can’t possibly top her latest book, she goes and proves me wrong. The last book I read from Heather was DreamKiller and I absolutely loved that one, if you haven’t read it yet be sure to pick it up and read it. So when I saw the cover and read the synopsis to Imitation, I knew immediately it was going to be an amazing book. I mean afterall look who its by, right?
“Everyone is exactly like me. There is no one like me. I wrestle with these contradicting truths most nights  while the rest of the sleep.”

First three lines of the book had me instantly hooked. Why you ask? Well lets dissect it from my point of view for a moment. Heather writes “Everyone is exactly like me” what could that mean? Well that’s the tricky part right? If everyone is like you they either A) have to be you B) or be the same type of you. Confused? Don’t be it’ll make sense later. “There is no one like me” obviously means the person is unique. No two people are created the same, or are they? Which brings us to the last sentence of the two statements contradicting themselves. How can everyone be the same but not? Got you spinning yet? I can honestly say I loved this. It made me think, it made me curious to see what this character was talking about being the same yet different. But isn't that how we are now? We are all human so that makes us the same but we all have our own traits, our own personalities so that makes us different. Unique. That is unless you’re a twin, then you look the same and may even act the same, but there is always something a small part of you that will make you different. Unique, the contradiction of being the same yet different. Mind blown, definitely! 

Ven is the female MC in imitation. Everything is told from her and lets just say that I don’t envy her at all. I mean Twig City doesn't sound like a place I would love very much, but then living up to what she was created for doesn't sound to appealing either. Well not at first anyways. It starts with a letter from Marla. The letter is like a death sentence, why, well because it means you leave Twig City and never return. Where do you go, what do you do, what exactly are you? It all lies within the title. You’re an imitation. When ‘duty’ calls you have no choice but to comply and that’s what happens to Ven. Duty called but the plus side of her duty detail includes the very handsome body guard Linc. Can I just say that I wouldn't mind being in her shoes so much when hes around.
Secrets. So many secrets. Will Ven gain what she truly wants? Does Ven and Linc become more than what they are? Does Linc find out the biggest secret Ven is keeping from him? And what’s happening to the other like Ven? What’s going to be Ven’s role it all of it and is Linc going to stand by her and help her?

“Joy, bigger than anything I’ve ever experienced, surges into my chest. It is a feeling so solid, it seems touchable. If this is what it’s like to be human… and then I realize—this is what it’s like to be me.”

This book is definitely a series so when you reach the end don’t be surprised, well go ahead and be surprised because well  it’s going to leave you craving the next book. I know I am. I can’t wait to see what happens with Ven and Linc. 

One of the things that truly stuck with me is the fact that for some strange reason, this book almost holds a truth to it. The extreme possibility that this could very well be going on right now and we don’t even know it makes it that much more intriguing. Heather Hildenbrand, you definitely have out done yourself once again. I cannot wait for the next book to this amazing series and I’m absolutely in love with Linc. He’s truly amazing. 



What would it feel like to be a copy of someone, to have your life's purpose only to be that. When you are done you are disposed of. That's what it feels like to be an imitation, which is what Ven is.  Ven is called up to fulfill her purpose in the world.  She is needed to step In place.  She's never been outside in the real world, learned manners, nice clothes or ridden in cars.  When she arrives at her new home she's greeted by her "father". Wow what a jerk Titus Rogen is.  Seriously Heather Hildenbrand made a character I hate. He's one mean dude!! Bring in Linc, Ven or uhhh Raven's bodyguard. Right away I could tell Linc liked her, but really didn't care for the real Raven.
Ven's job was to go charity events and play the part of Raven, and help find who was trying to kill the real Raven.  Titus didn't care if she died... That's what she was for. Sigh. Along the way Linc notices she's not really Raven.... But she keeps up the lie. She starts to fall for him but doesn't think an imitation can. Through all this , Ven finds there is a plot to take her, kill her, and the know she's an imitation. Who's behind it? And who also are imitations put in place?  There is also some imitations on the outside who want to break out in their own and have removed their tracking devices. What does this mean for Ven? Can she have that life??
I must say this book blew me away. I loved the mystery around every turn. I was kept on my toes the entire time. I absolutely loved Linc! Seriously go out and get Imitation, Heather Hildenbrand created a story that brings you in and captivates your mind! I can't wait for book 2  like now!  


About the Author:

Heather Hildenbrand was born and raised in a small town in northern Virginia where she was homeschooled through high school. (She’s only slightly socially awkward as a result.) Since 2011, she’s published more than eight YA & NA novels including the bestselling Dirty Blood series. She splits her time between coastal Virginia and the island of Guam and loves having a mobile career and outrageous lifestyle of living in two places. Her most frequent hobbies are riding motorcycles and avoiding killer slugs.
Heather is also a publishing and success coach bent on equipping and educating artists who call themselves authors. She loves teaching fellow writers how to create the same freedom-based lifestyle she enjoys. For more information visit www.phoenixauthorink.com and find out how to create your own Outrageous Life.
She is represented by Rebecca Friedman. You can find out more about Heather and her books at www.heatherhildenbrand.com.
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