Don't Have an 'Identity Crisis': Blog Tour

Identity Crisis

Author: Melissa Schoor

Goodreads / Amazon

When curvaceous Annalise Bradley’s scandalous freshman year hookup sparks the anger of her female classmates, three of them decide to get her back by "catfishing" her, creating a fake online profile of the perfect boy to toy with her affections.

Against her better nature, introverted Noelle Spiers, goes along with her friends’ plan, hoping to distract Annalise from dreamy Cooper Franklin, her lifelong crush who has fallen for Annalise instead.

As Annalise discovers she is being played and seeks revenge, Noelle increasingly regrets her role in the cruel hoax and tries to salvage their relationship.

Told in alternative perspectives, IDENTITY CRISIS covers romance, betrayal, and timeless friendship in the age of modern technology.

BOOK LINKS:

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25877205-identity-crisis

Amazon paperback: http://amzn.to/1SdGGfq

Barnes & Noble (B&N):  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/identity-crisis-melissa-schorr/1121690253?ean=9781440590146

Bookdepository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Identity-Crisis-Meliss-Schorr/9781440590139

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/es-es/ebook/identity-crisis-32

City of Identity

Who are you? That's the slogan for this town. It's a town of mystery and fake love. The people in the town lie, but they have good reasons to. At least that's what they tell themselves. There are music festivals often, and people compete to get the singer's attention.

But underneath it all, there is revenge.

"I gobbled this book up. It was an interesting book. I couldn't put it down. I had to keep reading. Why? I'll tell you.

"The characters were fascinating. Especially the character development. Annalise had a troubled past. Thing is none of it was her fault. It's not like she could control her dad cheating or people assuming she was itching to jump into Amos's pants. Everything with her Freshmam Fling incident was a misunderstanding. Two things. One, she was only a freshman. That's insanely young for all of this to happen. Two. These things don't typically happen in teenage life. I haven't heard of these things before, but I'm not a typical teenager. And Noelle was so unassuming. You wouldn't think she'd do any of this. I honestly think she did care for Annalise. She started to stand up for herself, and I really liked that. People shouldn't let themselves be walked over. Her change was invigorating. It made me want to change. Just a little. But I'm a stickler for consistency.

"I loved the emphasis on friendship. Maeve's friendship with Annalise was subtle, but Maeve cared for Annalise and didn't want her (Annalise) hurt. It was sweet that Maeve cared so much for her friend. Their friendship reminded me of my best friend and I. They stuck together. On the opposite end of the spectrum was Eva's gang. Poor Noelle was roped into that mess. I despised, and still do, people like Eva. She wasn't a good friend. She dragged Noelle into catfishing Annalise. For what? Revenge? That's extremely rude no matter now you look at it. I would hate to be in a friendship like Noelle and Eva's. I'd be so submissive like Noelle, though. That's the sad thing. Maybe I would end up fighting. But things would be like they were for Noelle in the beginning.

"The ending was satisfying. The epilogue really tidied things up. I loved how Annalise and Noelle ended up. And Cooper. Him too. That little rascal got it good. I felt like there wasn't anything more. Nothing to add. Sure, the Brass Knuckles scandal was a tad annoying and a tad rushed, but I didn't particularly mind. The friendships built were great. I really liked it. And Noelle standing up for herself and publicly apologizing? Perfect. Not that it'd happen in real life, though.

"Plot wise, this book was a little lacking. It wasn't that the plot was slow or anything. It was a little rushed if you ask me. Things happened too fast. They met. They flirted. They discovered the truth. I wanted things to slow down. Life doesn't happen that fast. Relationships don't happen that fast. If things were slower, that would have been better."

IDENTITY CRISIS has part of a song’s lyrics in it. Come up with a SECOND VERSE for the rest of the song in order to enter the giveaway! (Song on the rafflecopter entry) Leave your answer in the rafflecopter and in the comments section!

SONG: “INNER BEAUTY”

(FIRST VERSE) 

You sparkle

You shine

Your cheekbones

Sublime

But a pretty face does not mean a pretty heart.

(CHORUS)

There’s just no inner beauty

Where is your inner beauty?

Without some inner beauty

You’re a perfect waste of time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa Schorr is the YA author of GOY CRAZY (Hyperion 2006) and IDENTITY CRISIS (forthcoming, Merit Press 2016), and a contributor to the YA anthology DEAR BULLY.

She is currently a contributing writer/editor to the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. Her freelance work has appeared in numerous publications, including GQ, People, Self, San Francisco magazine, and The Wall Street Journal. 

Melissa currently lives in Boston with her husband, her daughters, and her dog, Bailey.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.melissaschorr.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/321338.Melissa_Schorr

Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissaschorr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Melissa-Schorr-1420293581623246/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissarschorr/

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The Anatomical Shape of a Heart Dream Cast

Sunday Street Team Presents...

Synopsis:

Artist Beatrix Adams knows exactly how she's spending the summer before her senior year. Determined to follow in Da Vinci's footsteps, she's ready to tackle the one thing that will give her an advantage in a museum-sponsored scholarship contest: drawing actual cadavers. But when she tries to sneak her way into the hospital's Willed Body program and misses the last metro train home, she meets a boy who turns her summer plans upside down.

Dream Casting The Anatomical Shape of a Heart

I do not own any of these pictures. The rights go to their owners.

Though The Anatomical Shape of a Heart is my young adult debut, it’s my eighth published book.
Readers often ask me if I write characters with specific people in mind. The short answer is no.
Occasionally a real person might inspire the initial spark for a character; however, by the time the first chapter is written, the original personal is long forgotten, and the character has morphed into someone else entirely.  That being said, it’s still fun to think about who would play your characters if Hollywood ever came knocking. So, here’s my shortlist for the The Anatomical Shape of a Heart casting couch.

My heroine: Beatrix “Bex” Adams
Who: 17-year-old anatomical artist
Description: Short, knows a million ways to braid her dark long, hair; nicknamed “Morticia.”
Role goes to: Adelaide Kane (Reign and the Australian soap Neighbours). She’s got Bex’s poise and deadpan attitude, so even though she’s average height, which makes her too tall to play Bex’s “gruesome pixie,” I still vote for her. Runner up: Aubrey Plaza from Parks and Rec.

Adelaide Kane

Aubrey Plaza

My hero: Jack Vincent
Who: 17-year-old graffiti artist
Description: Tall, dark, and pompadoured;  into retro-rockabilly style.
Role goes to: James Dean (Rebel Without a Cause.) Wait, is this allowed? I know he’s dead, but in the book, Bex jokingly describes Jack as looking like what would happen if David Beckham and James Dean had a baby together. He’d have to dye his hair dark, but if we’re reviving the dead, a little trip to the salon’s a breeze.

James Dean

Bex’s brother:  Heath Adams
Who: 19-year-old gay college dropout
Description: Dark, short hair; wears a lot of metal band shirts.
Role goes to: Jordan Gavaris (Orphan Black). Sure, Jordan plays a gay guy with short, dark hair on Orphan Black, so this is kind of a no-brainer, but he really would be perfect as Bex’s brother. PERFECT.

Jordan Gavaris

Jack’s best friend:  Andy Wong
Who: 17-year-old co-worker at Zen bookstore
Description: Tousled black hair, has a labret piercing.
Role goes to: Aaron Yan (Taiwanese drama actor). I think he does more singing than acting these days, but he’s definitely got the charisma and looks to play Andy.

Aaron Yan

About the Author:

Jenn Bennett is the author of the Arcadia Bell urban fantasy series with Pocket and the Roaring 20's historical paranormal romance series with Berkley. She lives near Atlanta with one husband and two pugs.

Cue giveaway time!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Sunday Street Team is hosted by Nori-chan! 

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Unveiling the Tour: 'Return Once More' by Trisha Leigh

Return Once More (The Historians #1)

by Trisha Leigh 

Release Date: 09/29/15

Bloomsbury Spark

Summary from Goodreads:

If you could learn the identity of your one true love—even though you will never meet— would you?

Years have passed since refugees from a ruined earth took to space, eventually settling a new system of planets. Science has not only made the leaps necessary to allow time travel, but the process engineered a strange side effect—predicting your one true love.

If you could save your one true love from an untimely death, would you be able to resist?

Sixteen-year-old Kaia Vespasian is an apprentice to the Historians—a group charged with using time travel to document the triumphs and failures of the past—and she can’t resist a peek at her long-dead soul mate in Ancient Egypt. Before she knows it, she’s broken every rule in the book, and the consequences of getting caught could destroy more than just her new romance.

Or would you have the strength to watch him die?

But when Kaia notices a fellow classmate snooping around in a time where he doesn’t belong, she suspects he has a secret of his own—and the conspiracy she uncovers could threaten the entire universe. If her experience has taught her anything, to changing history means facing the consequences. The Historians trained her to observe and record the past, but Kaia never guessed she might have to protect it— in a race across time to save her only chance at a future.

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:

Kindle | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play 

A few lanterns lit the interior of the rickety wooden building. It smelled of animals and hay, of spicy earth and poop. Between the lanterns, the last beams of setting sun pierced the cracks in the ancient wood, combining with the warmth spilling through my body and casting the whole moment in a surreal glow.

“Why must you leave, Kaia? We don’t have long. I had hoped we would spend these days together. I promise to behave.” His voice was soft, coaxing.

In another lifetime, another past or present or future, I would have done anything he’d asked. And I wouldn’t have wanted him to behave.

“Do you think I’m insane? Not right?” I tapped my head, unsure if the translation came through correctly when a Greek word that wouldn’t quite fit into English fell from my lips.

He frowned and reached out, setting his hands on my hips. His long fingers wound around my back, pressing lightly through the thin fabric and weakening my knees. This molecular compatibility thing wreaked havoc on my basic motor function. And with keeping down dinner.

“I do not know what to think of you, Kaia. You are clearly something different. The things you say, they do not seem possible. And yet…”

“And yet?” I pressed.

“And yet they feel not only possible, but true. If a man cannot trust one’s heart, then what can he trust?”

My chest filled with happiness and I grinned up at him, struggling to breathe. “Your heart says you can trust me?”

“My heart seems to know you, even if I do not. Yet.”

About the Author

Trisha Leigh is a product of the Midwest, which means it’s pop, not soda, garage sales, not tag sales, and you guys as opposed to y’all. Most of the time. She’s been writing seriously for five years now, and has published 4 young adult novels and 4 new adult novels (under her pen name Lyla Payne). Her favorite things, in no particular order, include: reading, Game of Thrones, Hershey’s kisses, reading, her dogs (Yoda and Jilly), summer, movies,  reading, Jude Law, coffee, and rewatching WB series from the 90’s-00’s.

Her family is made up of farmers and/or almost rock stars from Iowa, people who numerous, loud, full of love, and the kind of people that make the world better. Trisha tries her best to honor them, and the lessons they’ve taught, through characters and stories—made up, of course, but true enough in their way.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

Book Tour Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

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What's Underneath the Lies? 'Underneath Everything' Blog Tour

Underneath Everything
by  Marcy Beller Paul
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: October 27th 2015

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, GLBT, Realistic Fiction
Rate: 3.5/5

Synopsis:

Mattie shouldn’t be at the bonfire. She should be finding new maps for her collection, hanging out with Kris, and steering clear of almost everyone else, especially Jolene. After all, Mattie and Kris dropped off the social scene the summer after sophomore year for a reason. But now Mattie is a senior, and she’s sick of missing things. So here she is. And there’s Jolene: Beautiful. Captivating. Just like the stories she wove. Mattie would know; she used to star in them. She and Jolene were best friends. Mattie has the scar on her palm to prove it, and Jolene has everything else, including Hudson. But when Mattie runs into Hudson and gets a glimpse of what could have been, she decides to take it all back: the boyfriend, the friends, the life she was supposed to live. Problem is, Mattie can’t figure out where Jolene ends and she begins. Because there’s something Mattie hasn’t told anyone—she walked away from Jolene over a year ago, but she never really left. Poignant and provocative, Marcy Beller Paul’s debut novel tells the story of an intoxicating—and toxic—relationship that blurs the boundary between reality and fantasy, love and loyalty, friendship and obsession.

Let's play a game. You know the rules, right?

I never liked books. 

I never wrote stories. 

I never took karate.

I never almost killed my best friend 

This book was supposed to be about a toxic friendship, and I sure got that. I was continually stunned by what Jolene did. She went too far. She always went too far. I don't care if she said she wouldn't hurt Mattie. It's wrong. I don't care if Mattie got a rush from it. Suffocating someone is not a good way to show love. What Jolene did was dangerous, risky. I'm a normally cautious person, so what she did really freaked me out. 

Admittedly, reading the things Jolene did gave me a little bit of a rush. Not that I'd ever do those things to any of my friends. I consider my friends my family. But I felt like I was experiencing those things. The author made me feel Mattie's fear and panic. But don't think I want to be suffocated or tied up. I'll stick to my books and whatnots. Thanks but no thanks. 

I actually felt like Jolene had some sort of mental disorder. I'm not trying to categorize her; I'm trying to understand her. I'm not sure which mental disorder, though. 

Jolene always pushed things too far. She coated Mattie in stories and drowned her in fantasy. I feel like it's actually Jolene that is drowning in fantasy. She acted as if she was superior, but it was all an act. For this, I started to hate Jolene. I truly, vehemently hated her. She was putting people in danger. All for the thrills. All for Mattie. That's not right. 

Mattie felt so boring. I know that's probably really vague. I wanted Mattie to change. I wanted her to become someone else or at least experience a final conclusion. She really ended up at the same place as in the start of the book. She didn't learn much. She didn't realize things. I was disappointed in her. You didn't learn anything from your experiences? Seriously? 

Now, I want to take a moment to talk about Hudson. He's truly a nice guy. Truly. I don't think he'd hurt a fly. But he was pushed around and hurt. I would love to make him a match. I think he doesn't deserve any of the things that both Mattie and Jolene put through. He deserves happiness. 

Does this mean I approve of the romance? Nope. Do I still want happiness for Hudson? Yes. Does that mean his happiness will come from being with Mattie? Nope.

BOOK LINKS:

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18336982-underneath-everything

Amazon paperback: http://amzn.to/1LKQkCH

Barnes & Noble (B&N):  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/underneath-everything-marcy-beller-paul/1121148035?ean=9780062327215

Bookdepository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Underneath-Everything-Marcy-Beller-Paul/9780062327215

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/underneath-everything/id963793339?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/es-es/ebook/underneath-everything

Follow the Underneath Everything by Marcy Beller Paul Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

 

Marcy Beller Paul is a young adult author, former editor, and full-time mom who still has all the notes she passed in seventh grade (and knows how to fold them)

She graduated from Harvard University and lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. Underneath Everything will be published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins, in Fall 2015. It is her first novel.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://marcybellerpaul.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7224014.Marcy_Beller_Paul

Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealmbeller

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcybellerpaul

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcybellerpaul/

Giveaway!

Prize: Win a signed first edition of Underneath Everything by Marcy Paul (US ONLY)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86145/?

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I Wasn't Supposed to Die: Blog Tour for 'It's a Wonderful Death'

It's a Wonderful Death

Sarah J Schmitt
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Release Date: October 6th, 2015

Goodreads / Amazon

Seventeen-year-old RJ always gets what she wants. So when her soul is accidentally collected by a distracted Grim Reaper, somebody in the afterlife better figure out a way to send her back from the dead or heads will roll. But in her quest for mortality, she becomes a pawn in a power struggle between an overzealous archangel and Death Himself. The tribunal presents her with two options: she can remain in the lobby, where souls wait to be processed, until her original lifeline expires, or she can replay three moments in her life in an effort to make choices that will result in a future deemed worthy of being saved. It sounds like a no-brainer. She’ll take a walk down memory lane. How hard can changing her future be? 

But with each changing moment, RJ’s life begins to unravel, until this self-proclaimed queen bee is a social pariah. She begins to wonder if walking among the living is worth it if she has to spend the next sixty years as an outcast. Too quickly, RJ finds herself back in limbo, her time on Earth once again up for debate. RJ is a snarky, unapologetic, almost unredeemable, very real girl. Her story is funny and moving, and teens will easily connect with her plight. Prepare to meet the Grim Reaper, who’s cuter than you’d expect; Hawaiian shirt–wearing Death Himself; Saint Peter (who likes to play Cornhole); and Al, the handler for the three-headed hound that guards the gates of Hell. This cast of characters accompanies RJ through her time in the afterlife and will do their best to gently shove her in the right direction.

Note: I got this as an eARC from a book tour.

RJ had an awesome voice. I loved her personality. She was defiant and stood up for herself. She didn't let anyone hold her back. I liked that about her. I've always loved defiant, rebellious characters. (Perhaps because I'm a rule-sticker-to? Hm...a good question for a psychologist to answer.)
And she made some amazingly witty remarks. She was snappy and sarcastic. Very good on her feet. I admired that. (Because, again, I'm not RJ-ish in any way. Sigh.)

The book brought up an interesting point. You can change your future if you want to. You can change who you are. Your future isn't set in stone. You can be the change.
I know I sound preachy. I know. But that's the truth. The world is constantly moving. You gotta catch up and change if you want to go anywhere.

I liked that all the characters got happy endings. They got the positive end. I liked that. That gives people hope. And hope is all that you need.
I haven't read books with happy endings lately. (Ehem. 'This Is Where It Ends'. Ehem.) I've read a lot of unhappy endings. Tragedies instead of comedies.
This was a nice little reprieve. Something different.

My favorite part wasn't the redemption or anything. It was Madeline. She was so good-natured. So kind-hearted. Some might be turned off by that, but I'm someone who sees the darkness and sucks it up. I notice that. I see the murder reports. I see the bullying. I see it all and absorb it in my own way. Madeline fought Death Himself (Love the name) and gained something better than her morality.
She gained light. (Holy. I sound like a preacher.)

Sadly, it felt short. I wanted more. Maybe what happens after. And maybe we get to see Madeline again. I wanted more. Maybe a sequel? Or maybe a companion story all about Madeline. I'd like that.

Rating:

4/5

BOOK LINKS:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20697586-it-s-a-wonderful-death?ac=1

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1hIlejx

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/its-a-wonderful-death-sarah-j-schmitt/1118476987?ean=9781634501736

BookDepository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Its-Wonderful-Death-Sarah-J-Schmitt/9781634501736

TRAILER:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah J. Schmitt is a K-8 school librarian and Youth Service Professional for Teens at a public library who, in addition to planning a variety of events, enjoys opening up the world of books to reluctant readers. She runs a teen writing program that combines Skype visits from well-known authors and screenwriters and critique group style feedback.

Prior to immersing herself in the world of the written word, Sarah earned her Masters of Science in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from Indiana University where she worked with first year college students as they acclimated to college life. Sarah lives outside of Indianapolis with her husband, two kidlets and a cat who might actually be a secret agent. She is an active member of SCBWI, ALA and the Indiana Library Federation and is a regular participant at the Midwest Writer's Workshop. Her debut novel, IT'S A WONDERFUL DEATH, comes out Fall 2015 from Sky Pony Press.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+SarahJSchmitt/posts

Website: http://www.sarahjschmitt.com/#!blog1/ci47

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7811723.Sarah_J_Schmitt

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SJSchmitt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-J-Schmitt/132681246744714?ref=hl

Prize: WIN A GIRLS KICK BUTT PRIZE PACK (winner will win all the following items) - US ONLY

• A SIGNED copy of The Heir by Kiera Cass OR a SIGNED copy of HOOK'S REVENGE by Heidi Shultz
• Handmade bracelet in RJ's favorite color: purple
• IT'S A WONDERFUL DEATH SWAG PACK: a key chain, a button, a handmade paper clip bookmark and a necklace charm
• Funko Pop! Pocket Keychain (Game of Thrones Daenerys Targaryen)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ef7f341f3/

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