Release Day Blitz: The Notorious Pagan Jones (Pagan Jones #1) by Nina Berry

The Notorious Pagan Jones (Pagan Jones #1)
by Nina Berry
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: May 26th 2015

Synopsis:

Pagan Jones went from America's sweetheart to fallen angel in one fateful night in 1960: the night a car accident killed her whole family. Pagan was behind the wheel and driving drunk. Nine months later, she's stuck in the Lighthouse Reformatory for Wayward Girls and tortured by her guilt—not to mention the sadistic Miss Edwards, who takes special delight in humiliating the once-great Pagan Jones. 

But all of that is about to change. Pagan's old agent shows up with a mysterious studio executive, Devin Black, and an offer. Pagan will be released from juvenile detention if she accepts a juicy role in a comedy directed by award-winning director Bennie Wexler. The shoot starts in West Berlin in just three days. If Pagan's going to do it, she has to decide fast—and she has to agree to a court-appointed "guardian," the handsome yet infuriating Devin, who's too young, too smooth, too sophisticated to be some studio flack. 

The offer's too good to be true, Berlin's in turmoil and Devin Black knows way too much about her—there's definitely something fishy going on. But if anyone can take on a divided city, a scheming guardian and the criticism of a world that once adored her, it's the notorious Pagan Jones. What could go wrong?

“With a hint of Hollywood glam, mystery, and a time period unique to the YA genre, Berry treats readers to a can’t-miss story. She finds a winner in Pagan, a Marilyn Monroe-like teen actress with a tale that will appeal to younger and older fans alike.” – RT Book Reviews

“Well paced historical thriller. Scary in all the right places…” – Kirkus Reviews

“Pagan Jones, though, is nobody’s pawn. This is a well-plotted balance of Hollywood glitter and international political conspiracies during the Cold War, and the historical backdrop is meticulously set. Pagan is a smart, charismatic heroine given depth by her struggles with alcoholism.” – Booklist

“Berry’s noirish writing blends the blinding spotlight of Hollywood, the sexy world of espionage, and real-life events to create a fast-paced spy thriller” – Publisher’s Weekly

Nina Berry is the author of the acclaimed YA paranormal OTHERKIN series from KTeen and the upcoming historical thriller PAGAN JONES series from Harlequin Teen. She grew up bodysurfing in Hawaii, learned to throw snowballs at the University of Chicago, and now lives and works in Hollywood, pretending to lead the glamorous life. 

When she’s not traveling, reading or tweeting links to save the tiger, she writes all kinds of things, some of which might surprise you.

Nina blogs at ninaberry.com, and you can follow her on Twitter @Ninaberry or hang out with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/writerninaberry.

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Blog Tour: Any Way You Slice It by Kristine Carlson Asselin

Any Way You Slice It
by Kristine Carlson Asselin
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Release Date: April 21st 2015

Rate: Enjoyed it (4 stars)

Synopsis:

Penelope Spaulding just can't catch a break. Between long hours at the family restaurant, homework, and her parents' plans for her future, it's hard to find a spare moment to breathe. But when she laces up her skates and steps on the ice, everything slips away...

Racing around the rink allows her to blow off steam after yet another fight with her dad about going to culinary school. So when Jake Gomes, the bad boy who lives down the street, dares her to join the Rink Rats, the local misfit hockey team, she surprises herself and joins in silent defiance of her father and his expectations.

The more she plays, the easier it is to keep lying, and soon Pen finds it impossible to come clean. She’s sneaking out to practice—and loving every minute of it. It doesn’t take long for her to fall in love with hockey…and Jake’s not half bad either. But she knows it can’t last. As soon as her dad finds out, she’ll be benched. For good.

She’s absolutely not going to tell her parents until she’s sure it will be worth the inevitable fight. Not only is she skipping shifts at Slice Pizza while a foodie reality show is on the horizon, but her lies are starting to take their toll on her game. It’s only a matter of time before everything falls apart.

With the team counting on her and with her relationship with Jake on the line, will she have to sacrifice the thing she wants most for the people she loves? Or can she step up and take her best shot?

Any Way You Slice It is what I would call a sweet and cute YA read. Definitely something all YA romance fans would love to read out there.

The synopsis of this book pretty much sums up what the book's about without giving much away. The story is about Penelope, who seems to have reach a breaking point were everything starts to be too much, but she finds a way out through hockey. The only problem is that her dad has forbidden her to play that sport. And what's the point of falling in love with the bad boy that introduces it to this sport if it won't last? If her dad finds out, everything will go away. Having a double life is never easy and Penelope will soon find out.

I adored the cuteness in this story. It is one of those stories were a teenager tries to find herself by doing what she likes, but fearing not having the approval of her parents. Add to a forbidden activity a kind of forbidden love? Seriously it was simply too sweet and romantic.

I think this book gives an insight of deciding for yourself: either you choose to please others or step up and do what you want to do. 

With a beautiful writing and a good plot, Kristine did an amazing job were hockey, Pizza and teenage romance comes together in a perfect combination. Definitely something I would recommend!

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Kristine Carlson Asselin lives in Massachusetts and writes Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction. Her debut YA novel ANY WAY YOU SLICE IT will be available from Bloomsbury Spark in April 2015. She is also the author of fourteen children’s books for the elementary school library market. Kris volunteer’s with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, and loves Harry Potter, Doctor Who, classic rock from the 70’s and 80’s, and anything with a time travel theme. She is a proud member of SCBWI-New England, the Fall Fourteeners (a group blog of YA debut authors), Sporty Girl Books blog, and #MGLitChat. Kris does query package critiques under the alter-ego @QueryGodMother and loves doing school visits for kids all over New England.

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Release Day Blast: Soaring Through Stars by Rajdeep Paulus

Soaring Through Stars
by Rajdeep Paulus
Publisher: Birch House Press
Release Date: April 23rd 2015

Synopsis:

“I live in the in between. Between holding on and letting go. Hurt clings to me. Hope teases me. Home. I can’t explain it, but sometimes, I just want to go home.”

Talia and Jesse Vanderbilt have escaped a childhood full of abuse, and when they have a chance to put their father behind bars, setbacks arise from every direction. The siblings can't help but consider the option to walk away and move on with their lives.

Then someone unexpected brings his own secrets, forcing the Vanderbilt teens to revisit their pasts and rethink their plans. Through it all, Lagan and Talia’s Post-it love story blossoms, while Jesse and Summer hit roadblocks. 

From the award-winning author of Swimming Through Clouds and Seeing Through Stones comes a powerful story of freedom and belonging in this final book of the young adult trilogy that began with an invitation on a little Post-it note.

“Soaring through Stars is a beautiful, perfect ending to a truly exceptional series… Don’t miss this one.” 

~USA Today’s HEA Blog, Serena Chase

“Rajdeep Paulus writes young adult fiction with a new kind of hero… compassionate at moments when it would be much easier to stand by and do nothing.” 

~Amazon Author Success Story

“The Swimming Through Clouds series is an incredible story of the strength of true love and the power of courage. Talia, Lagan, and Jesse will sneak into your heart and stay there long after you read the last line.” ~Amalie Howard, bestselling IndieNext author of Alpha Goddess

Rajdeep Paulus is an Award-winning author of SwimmingThrough Clouds and Seeing Through Stones. Rajdeep studied English Literature at Northwestern and lives in New York with her Sunshine and four princesses. 

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