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Monday, February 23, 2015

Being Jolene {Giveaway + Excerpt}

BEING JOLENE - tour - BANNER
Being Jolene (Tell Me, #2)
Caitlin Kerry
Contemporary Romance – Can be read as a Stand-alone
Release Date: February 19, 2014
 
goodreads


Blurb
The first time Jolene meets a mysterious man wearing flannel, it’s a case of mistaken identity. The second time, they end up against the side of a bar. Third time’s a charm, right? Jolene Hayes finds herself spending the summer in the picturesque mountains of Idaho in order to avoid a past fling. It’s a perfect escape, except for the one problem that keeps popping up: a sexy backcountry pilot named Ty Harrison. Jolene tries her hardest to resist his scruffy beard and flannel wearing ways, but eventually rationalizes that a summer fling would just be like the rest of them—love ‘em and leave ‘em and move on with her life. Between these two are secrets that could tear them apart before they even get started, though. Life changes without warning, and dealing with the results leaves Jolene protecting her heart at all costs. Ty knows he is everything Jolene doesn’t want, but he can’t let go of the fiery siren. Throw in the element of wilderness, a small town where secrets can’t hide and the past repeatedly showing up on Jolene’s front porch, the promise of a summer fling becomes complicated.  
Purchase the Book!
Being Jolene Teaser 2 - Ty (2)-2
 
Excerpt
Yet, as I stood in the country bar in the middle of Gypsum, Idaho, I started to rethink my whole notion on the bar scene. What I was looking at was quite strange. All I could see was cowboy boots, wranglers, and granola type people. Lots of hats. I scanned the bar from the rickety wooden table I was perched at. This was one of those times where I knew heavy drinking was not a good idea so I slowly nursed my vodka cranberry and took in the crowd. The good ol' boys were out in full force tonight. I mean, yes I was from Idaho, but I rarely left Boise, a large city. I was used to the more outdoorsy type, Boise was full of them, but all the cowboys I was seeing reminded me that I did in fact live in Idaho. As I took another drink of the watered down beverage, my eyes caught made contact with the last person I wanted to see. The lumberjack. Shit. Of all my luck, of course Sexy Lumberjack would be here. I was known for being on top of my game. I always had a witty comeback and I never let anything affect me. Or at least that was the image I put out there. Sexy lumberjack threw me off my game that morning a month ago. Not okay. I scrunched up my nose as I took him in as he stood there, a bright smile on his face as he twisted the bottled in his hands. Fuck me. What was I supposed to do for four months in this barely-there town with all of these cowboys. And one lumberjack. I didn't even bother to drink the rest of vodka cranberry. I threw a few singles on the table and grabbed my purse to head out of the bar. I was done with this night. I was practically out the door when I heard, "Hey. Caleb's girl." I stopped. His alluring soft, deep voice wasn't anything new. I had heard plenty of men whisper pet names in my ear because they couldn't remember my actual name. I smirked to myself and turned around to face him. "Lumberjack," I addressed him. He raised a brow. "I'm not a lumberjack." I matched his raised brow. "I'm not Caleb's girl."  
Finding June (Tell Me, #1)
webFJ
Tell me your story.... June Rosewood followed the plan. College degree? Check. Longtime boyfriend who is possible husband material? Check. Finding a job after school? Working on it. Yet, it only took one emotionless conversation on a beach in Mexico for everything to fall apart. After running away for the summer, June’s back in Boise, can’t find a job and is stuck working as a waitress When June runs smack dab into Reece Day, her new coworker, she knows to stay far away from him. After being away from the town Reece grew up in, his journey has brought him back to where it all began. Reece is searching for forgiveness, but also stumbles upon the lively and smart mouthed June, who is so clearly lost in herself. Reece catches June's attention with his uncanny ability to always get under her skin, leaving her questioning what she really wants in life. Soon, June embarks on a journey of self-discovery to let go of the plan, because sometimes the unexpected surprises along the way are the most important and meaningful. Finding June is recommended for ages 17+ due to adult matters.  
About the Author
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Caitlin Kerry is obsessed with the stories we tell. Her love of reading and writing led her to accomplish a goal she set for herself at the age of seventeen. She has a degree in History and Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration. Caitlin is an avid tea drinker, hopeful adventurer, lover of music and often finds the best medicine is the quiet of nature. When Caitlin isn't writing or reading she usually can be found enjoying the great outdoors with her geologist husband, always looking for the next adventure. She currently resides in Idaho. I love meeting new people. Feel free to say hi!  
Connect with Caitlin
Twitter: @CaitKerry | Instagram: Caitlove88
 
Giveaway!
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Thursday, February 19, 2015

Abigail Larson's "Alice in Wonderland" Artwork



Happy almost March, y'all! So today I was gonna share a lovely piece by an artist I discovered back in January. Her name is Abigail Larson and she's basically everything I love. She has the creepy, Burtonesque glow with the saccharine edge that I simply adore.

This particular piece is very Alice in Wonderland-y to me. And I believe that's what is intended as well.



“Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cheshire Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.
Alice: I don't much care where.
The Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.
Alice: ...So long as I get somewhere.
The Cheshire Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.”



Isn't her work simply beautiful? That Alice piece is a favorite of mine along with a few others. I've included a few more below. See if you an guess which tale her pieces are from! If you figure it out make sure to leave the guess in the comments. 




So, what are y'all's favorites? I really can't pick one. I do know this though, I have got to learn how to draw like this. 


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Book Look: The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons

The Glass Arrow Book Look










The Handmaid’s Tale meets Blood Red Road in Glass Arrow, the story of Aya, who lives with a small group of women on the run from the men who hunt them, men who want to auction off breeding rights to the highest bidder.

In a world where females are scarce and are hunted, then bought and sold at market for their breeding rights, 15-year old Aya has learned how to hide. With a ragtag bunch of other women and girls, she has successfully avoided capture and eked out a nomadic but free existence in the mountains. But when Aya’s luck runs out and she’s caught by a group of businessmen on a hunting expedition, fighting to survive takes on a whole new meaning.


Wednesday, February 4, 2015

A Book Lover's Shirt on Etsy


Do you stalk Etsy too? Compulsively browse through all the pretty shops (especially the bookish goodies!) and add things to your never ending cart? Like, seriously: never ending. Ever. Well, here's another thing to add to that oh-so-very lovely basket:




"Printed with water based inks for a super soft as the fabric print that looks perfectly worn in on this slouchy, vintage style, classic heather grey tee . We chose American Apparel's tri-blend t shirt for it's perfect fit, incredible softness, and draping hang. 50% Polyester / 25% Rayon / 25% Cotton. 
Made with love in our Northern California Studio."



I seriously want this in my closet. Now. Its so pretty!
Thoughts? 



Sunday, February 1, 2015

ARC Review: The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons

Goodreads / Amazon / Giveaway
Published: February 10, 2015
ARC via Publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Handmaid’s Tale meets Blood Red Road in Glass Arrow, the story of Aya, who lives with a small group of women on the run from the men who hunt them, men who want to auction off breeding rights to the highest bidder.

In a world where females are scarce and are hunted, then bought and sold at market for their breeding rights, 15-year old Aya has learned how to hide. With a ragtag bunch of other women and girls, she has successfully avoided capture and eked out a nomadic but free existence in the mountains. But when Aya’s luck runs out and she’s caught by a group of businessmen on a hunting expedition, fighting to survive takes on a whole new meaning.





Sour Times- The Civil Wars / Win The Glass Arrow

In The Glass Arrow the author, Kristen Simmons, delivers an all too believable world where women are scare, due to the killing of babies who are female in order to keep the female population under control, and are hunted and sold and bred like livestock. This was a total “me” book. It won’t be for everyone, but for me this book pretty much strikes everything I love in a book. Minus the ending, of course. The ending was too simple for me, but everything else- the world building and the characterization and the romance and the writing and holy freaking cow the more I think about this book, the more I like it. It makes me feel all feminist-y and all that jazz. Although it wasn’t a five star book-I mean come on, I’m really stingy with those five stars- it really does hold a special place in my heart.

Okay, now that all that’s out of the way how about we talk about characters?  First up onto the stage of critique is Aya/ Clover / favorite person ever. Aya is a wild girl. She says so though out the book. This piece of her is the very essence of her identity. When captured by the very people who ruined her mother and who they are all hiding from, she’s determined as hell to get out. Too many failed attempts to count and she’s still going strong. I love her character because no matter what happened throughout the book, the capture and all the other events that I’m not going to tell you about due to the fact you will read this book, she stayed true to herself and never let herself wallow in self-pity. Yes, sometimes she cried, but who wouldn’t? I mean, would you want your body sold to the highest bidder over and over and over again? No, I didn’t think so. It’s so amazing, even with being trapped and caged and all she is still worrying about her family left in the mountains and that right there is the root of her determination to get out alive. I seriously admire her strength. And her sarcasm. Also I love her wolf.

We have the girls in the compound- oh ooops- the Garden alongside Aya. Daphne and Buttercup and other girls with flower names. (Flowers for names-seriously? Females aren’t all delicate. Buttercup has a decent right hook even if she is an idiot.) And we have the Governess chick who I wanted to stab. These girls didn’t actually eat food. They were fattened up with pills. Their bodies were zapped to get rid of any imperfections. They were all molded to believe that the only way to truly succeed in the world was to get a man to want to buy you and want you to be his incubator for his offspring. Isn’t that just peachy? So. Peachy. I thought that the use of the girl's names (being flowery and all) was a really smart way to build the world in the story even more. It showed how their society regarded them.

Finally we have the boy who stole my heart from the first time I met him, when he threw a knife at Aya. Yes, you read that right. But it’s okay because after that he’s a great listener. He’s a driver. Aya names him Kiran. Because of the color of his eyes. (this is where I melt into a puddle of goo and giggle and smile a whole lot) He wants to save her and listen to her and oh my God he’d follow her to the ends of the earth to keep her safe or at least try to protect her. She’s pretty capable of protecting herself, but he still wants to help. He doesn’t view her as a damsel in distress or weak. He has secrets. He’s wonderful. I can’t describe how wonderful he is. I honestly can’t.

Their love wasn’t insta-love or a love triangle or anything like that. It was getting to know you over facial expressions and sitting and talking (sort of) and protecting each other and understanding each other in ways that no other person really ever has.

Okay, so I’ve pretty much talked about setting though the character descriptions, but let me just reiterate a key aspect of this society: women are primped and plumped up and sold and bred. Men rule the world. Not all of the men are just as not all of the women are weak. It broke my heart to see just how much breeding was a part of their culture. Basically as soon as girls can get pregnant, they are set to be sold. They are trading pawns. Most of the female children are murdered as to avoid an uprising. The mountains are freedom, but even in freedom they must hide from the business men who hunt them.

Overall, this book is one that I won’t forget very soon, nor do I want to. My only regret is not reading it sooner! And isn’t the cover so cool?!


“We are strong and proud and beautiful and there are not enough stars in the night sky to measure our worth.”