Blog Tour: The Girl’s Guide to the Apocalypse by Daphne Lamb

The Girl’s Guide to the Apocalypse by Daphne Lamb
Published by: Booktrope Publishing
Publication date: August 11th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Post-Apocalyptic

Synopsis:

Welcome to the Apocalypse. Your forecast includes acid rain, roving gangs and misplaced priorities, in this comedic take on the end of the world as we know it, from debut author Daphne Lamb. As a self-entitled, self-involved, and ill equipped millennial, Verdell probably wouldn’t have ranked very high on the list of those most likely to survive the end of the world, but here she is anyway. Add in travelling with her work addicted boss, her boyfriend who she has “meh” feelings for, and a handful of others who had no businesses surviving as long as they have, and things aren’t exactly going as planned. But despite threats of cannibalism, infected water supplies, and possibly even mutants, Verdell is willing to put in as little effort as she can get away with to survive.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26148254-the-girl-s-guide-to-the-apocalypse?ac=1

Purchase:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1513701185

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-girls-guide-to-the-apocalypse-daphne-lamb/1122532764?ean=9781513701189&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10:1

Playlist!

1.      “Village Green Preservation Society” - The Kinks

2.      “Knights of Cydonia” - Muse

3.      “We Come Running” - Youngblood Hawke

4.      “Pretty Persuasion” - R.E.M.

5.      “Don’t Believe in Love” - Dido

6.      “Honest Feedback” - Saint Motel

7.      “So Many Bridges” - FFS

8.      “Time for Me to Fly” - REO Speedwagon

9.      “Super Bad” - James Brown

10.    “El Salvador” - Jamie T

11.    “Every Breaking Wave”- U2

AUTHOR BIO:

Daphne Lamb was raised in the wilds of Colorado and now resides in a very different wilderness known as Los Angeles. She is a comedian and award winning writer who has worked in television, film and video games. In her spare time, she enjoys collecting comic books, discussing awesomely bad movies and thinks about what it would be like to own a cat.

She loves connecting to fans and readers, so feel free to connect!

Author links:

https://twitter.com/daphne_lamb

http://www.daphnelambwriter.com/

https://www.facebook.com/daphnelambbooks/

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Blog Tour and Review: Just Sing by Rene Gilley

Just Sing

Book One
of the
Seven Oaks Series
by 
René Gilley
“Follow you dreams, follow your heart, love your family and Just Sing."

Release Date: 5th June 2014
Genre: Young Adult/Performing Arts/Music
Published by: The Writers Coffee Shop

Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Lily O’Brien has one goal in life—to sing. Her dream is to get into a top notch college vocal program, but the summer before her junior year, her high school cuts their awarding-winning vocal ensemble. She might as well kiss her dreams goodbye.

When the snobby new neighbors move into their mansion up the hill, Lily is positive summer can’t get any worse, and she’s determined to hate and ignore them—until she meets Aiden.

He’s broken and beautiful, and they become reluctant friends. Through her newfound friendship, she finds the strength to step outside the comfort of her plan and follow her dream.

But when Lily’s family is about to lose their home, she puts her wishes aside and finds the answer to save their generations-old ranch in the last place she expected.

Goodreads

Author Bio: 

By day, René Gilley works as a portfolio manager for a Fortune 50 company, but her nights and weekends are spent writing young adult and new adult romance books. Her brain never shuts off—always dreaming up new situations her characters can get into. 

Her California home is often the backdrop for her books. Her debut novel, Just Sing of the SEVEN OAKS SERIES, was years in the making. Like her character, René seeing Just Sing being published is a dream come true.

She’s a wife, mother to two beautiful daughters, and four dogs. She’s proud to be a triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) survivor and believes in giving back through book profits to charities that support breast cancer. 

Connect with René Gilley on: 
Facebook, Twitter, Website and Goodreads

Video Trailer:

            

Praise:

Just Sing evolves mostly around Lily’s struggle with her family, the reality of her dreams, and her first relationship issues with the neighbors’ son Aiden. Honestly Lily is a truly amazing... She is strong-willed and her loyalty and love for her family is admirable. -Between Dreams and Reality Blog

With the popularity of shows like American Idol and The Voice, Gilley's Just Sing promises to bring high engagement to any YA reader who dreams of the stage, lives the stage, or enjoys the stage as a spectator... -Fictionally Yours Blog

Just Sing was a complete and pleasant surprise. There's not many YA novels out there that can capture my heart and soul wholly. And this book is definitely one of them. -Goodreads Review

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed this book. As a singer myself, I wish there was a little more singing throughout, rather than right at the end. I also had issue with the fact she couldn't really read music, especially since she got into a private school where reading comprehension would be part of the application process.

But Lily was a great character. With a crazy, messed up family, she struggles to carry the whole burden of keeping things together all on her own. I really felt for her, and really wanted to smack both her parents in the head for her.

Knowing how obnoxious high school drama/rivalry can be, I really felt for her with the whole Melanie drama, and wondered what the deal with Tyler was throughout.

Aiden is an interesting character. He was so back and forth, and obviously cared about Lily, but he still acted like a total jerk to her. Although, I still wish for more resolution on the Aiden matter, I also know this is a series and so hopefully more will come of it in later books, which I will certainly be waiting for!

All up, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Writing is good, it flowed well, and the characters acted fairly believably.

I am ready for book 2 :-)

Guest Post With Author of Just Sing

René Gilley

Writing New Adult and connecting with youth, High School, dreams and teenage love- how to get in touch with your inner youth.

Great topic. First, I don’t know if I could write anything else. I feel like I have stories in me and I’m drawn to writing this age level. I believe that your story and characters drive where you land in the genre world. With Just Sing, I had these two wonderful and layered characters, I loved them so much I created a world for them to thrive in. With book one specifically, it is the young adult genre, both of my characters being 16 years young.

Second, I’m a mother to two teen daughters--one would be the target age for young adult books and one would be the target age for new adult books--not only do I remember this time in my life, but having two daughters in this age range, I know firsthand what our youth is going through. I also believe that many people forget this time in their life, it’s like the rawness of their youth fades. I never want to forget.

Thirdly, nineteen was one of the most memorable and amazing years of my life. It was my second year of college, I lived in San Diego, and I was on top of the world. It was also the year my life was torn apart by an ex-boyfriend who stalked my roommates and me, essentially drastically changing my life. This was such a trying time for me and I remember having to dig deep to pull everything back together and move on. I did and things turned out great for me.

Lastly, I believe that so many of our youth are classified as being lazy and are called the ‘entitled generation’. I think this might have a lot to do with technology, and like I said before, adults forgetting what it was like to be young. I know so many kids who are high achievers, push through diversity, and follow their dreams. My goal is to inspire, not lecture. And with Lily, my heroine, and my story, I really hope people can draw inspiration from someone so determined to follow their dreams, but also doing it in a way not to step on others and still maintain her love and closeness to her family.

In the end, I believe everyone has challenges and diversity in their lives. It’s how we choose to deal with those challenges that set us apart. That being said, with each story I write, I always have that in the back of my mind, and I also draw on those raw feelings of being young when I sit down to craft my stories.

Thank you for your time and support ~ René

Connect With René Gilley

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, BLOG

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Blog Tour: Playlist for Divide by Jessa Russo

Today I am welcoming Jessa Russo to my blog to celebrate the release of her new novel, Divide.

Jessa:

Katie has asked me to provide the playlist that goes with DIVIDE.

Well, I’m going to make it really easy for all of you to listen to it over and over again . . . because its only two songs. :-D

Mainly though, one song stands out as THE song for DIVIDE, THE song for Holland and Mick—my two main characters—and its Dark Side by Kelly Clarkson, performed by Peter Hollens and Madilyn Bailey. Something about their version speaks to me so much more loudly than Kelly Clarkson’s version—which, in my humble opinion, sounds a bit too upbeat for the content of the lyrics. Sorry, Kelly, but Peter and Madilyn nailed it.

But, take a listen and decide for yourself:

)

The other song that reminded me of Holland and Mick while I was in the process of writing their love story, is Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth featuring Emeli Sandé. This is a truly beautiful song with such powerful and meaningful lyrics.

Guest Post: Angela Archer's Musical Tens List

Top Ten Instrumental CD's to listen to while writing.

I have always been a fan of instrumental music, especially good instrumental music. One of my favorite soundtracks is for the movie The Last of the Mohicans. I love to write to instrumental music, and my favorite style is Celtic. It has a strong presence to it that just hits me in the core of my imagination – fiddles, bagpipes, dulcimers, pennywhistles, and harpsichords, all instruments that bring out my inner writer.

10. Celtic Thunder, Celtic Thunder CD

9. Believe, Celtic Woman CD

8. The Patriot Movie Soundtrack

7. Lord of the Rings Movie Soundtrack

6. Songs From the Heart, Celtic Woman CD

5. Harry Potter Films Movie Soundtracks

4. Secretariat Movie Soundtrack

3. Braveheart Movie Soundtrack

2. How to Train Your Dragon Movie Soundtrack

1. The Last of the Mohicans Movie Soundtrack

A young woman defying the laws of her country, a young man hungry with greed and power, a brave soul who falls in love with one he shouldn’t; all three caught in a country divided by war and a forbidden love torn apart by blackmail and disparity.

Alexandra Monroe is a slave smuggler, smuggling slaves north where they can live as free people. Her crime is sedition and her punishment, if caught, is death. The daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Montgomery, Alexandra lives a life not by her own accord, but a life she willingly accepts for her secret quest to save the lives of slaves. Her ultimate sacrifice is to marry the town's most eligible bachelor, Thomas Ludlow—who has deadly secrets of his own.

One afternoon, Alexandra comes face to face with handsome William Graysden. Although, forbidden for his Creek Indian heritage, he captivates her. They fascinate one another, and ultimately find in each other a bond they don't wish to ignore. After a series of events; however, William must face the choice to continue the dangerous pursuit of Alexandra's affections or forget about her.




Angela Christina Archer is a Historical Fiction/Romance writer. Living on a ranch in Oklahoma, she spends her days enjoying the outdoors with her husband and children, riding and showing horses, gardening, chasing around her many farm animals, and of course, putting her passion to pen and paper.

Born in Nevada, Angela and her husband made the bold choice to move halfway across the United States, away from all they knew. They have no regrets and have never looked back. Life on a farm can be hectic with children, horses, a dog, a cat, chickens, goats, and the summer frogs that love to take up residence in her backyard, but she wouldn't have it any other way.

Website: www.angelachristinaarcher.com

Facebook: Angela Christina Archer

Twitter: AuthorACArcher

Blog: www.authorangelachristinaarcher.wordpress.com

Inspiration Music - Battle Hymn

I reference this hymn in "Branded" as the song sang by the rebels in their uprising. The Battle Hymn of the Republic is stirring, and MoTab performs it magnificently!

Music for the Soul

Today I have picked the beautiful Celtic Woman to inspire you. Their stunning, raw sound gives me chills.

Inspirational Music

The weekend is inspirational music time! Here's a great one that came out when I was twelve and has shaped my love for music and movies ever since. The words are inspirational.

Because I Love Beautiful Things

Here's a piece performed by the Piano Guys for you enjoyment. Have a beautiful day!

Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh Book Trailer and Tour Sign Up

Here it is! My book Trailer. Let me know what you think!

I would love to have you or anyone else you know host me and Kiya on your blog for my blog tour! Sign up here: http://blogtourexchange.blogspot.com/2013/04/new-tours-seeking-matches.html

~*Katie

Musical Tuesday

Jolene Haley has featured music for Kiya on her blog! Check out the play list for the trilogy.

http://letsgetnerdy.blogspot.com/2013/04/musical-tuesday-katie-teller-kiya-hope.html