Blog Tour: Picture Imperfect by Jelsa Mepsey

Picture Imperfect
by Jelsa Mepsey
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Release date: September 22nd 2015
Genres: Romance, Young Adult


Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Max Prescott knows all too well the joys of cheating girlfriends and traitorous friends. He’s not eager to have his heart trampled again, but money and a fresh start can mean the difference between happiness and a dark path with his name on it.

So when Melly Hewson, a perky and enigmatic classmate, asks him to be her model for a year-long photography project, Max agrees. Melly Hewson is everything Max isn’t. She’s outgoing, witty and always knows the right words to say. And despite his best efforts, Max finds himself drawn to her.

Still, he isn’t stupid. He knows a girl like Melly will only use him and then never speak to him again. Besides, he’s been to that rodeo. As long as he keeps his feelings off the market, he won’t make the same mistakes as last time.

Yet underneath Melly’s sweet smiles lies a secret she’d rather kept hidden. And as the year goes on and the photos pile up, Max and Melly will find themselves developing through the negatives, a story that when told could push them to opposite ends of their world. But the only thing worst than the truth is, the facade that surrounds them.

by Jelsa Mepsey

Seeing as I don’t have much advice from personal experience about heartbreak, I thought I would look to some songs other people have written. Many of these couldn’t be in Picture Imperfect’s official playlist due to limited space and how well the song fit Max’s situation, so I thought this would be a good place to provide additional music selections.

Speed Dial – Mitchel Musso

The overall sound and the story in this song makes this one of my favorite Mitchel Musso songs, and in the future I could see it easily inspiring a short story.

Cry Me a River – Ella Fitzgerald

I first heard this song in a vocal instruction class and appreciated the different perspective it brought. It’s also one of the few songs from the 1900s that I know.

In Case – Demi Lovato

As you date someone, each of you accumulates the other’s items. The focus on many of these physical aspects is very well done.

Someone Else Before – Hawk Nelson

The phone conversation in the middle of the song functions both as a bridge and as clarification for listeners. There’s lots of breakup songs out there, but the way this one is presented is unique.

The One that Got Away – Katy Perry

I’ve always found the music video for this song to be very profound. This is definitely one of my favorite Katy Perry songs.

When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars covered by Sam Tsui

There are many times when I think about how I can be a better friend and/or girlfriend, and I love the way this song gets very specific in the ways the narrator wishes he had treasured what he had before it was gone.

Heart Heart Heartbreak – Boys Like Girls

Boys Like Girls has a lot of breakup songs, so I went for one with a simpler chorus and great instrumentals.

Pretend – Secondhand Serenade

This song really emphasizes that when people come into our lives, it’s difficult when they leave.

Heartbreak Therapy – Tanner Patrick

This song is very upbeat considering its content, but shows that the narrator is hopeful about the future.

Just a Little Bit of Your Heart – Ariana Grande

While it’s not necessarily a breakup song, this is a feeling many people can probably relate to if they are in a loveless relationship before ending it.

I hope you enjoyed these songs as much as I do and that if you need them right now, at least one of them was helpful. After all, this list has a large variety of viewpoints, and one of them is bound to resonate with each of us.

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Jelsa Mepsey writes young adult contemporary romance fiction, drawing inspiration from daily life. With her work, she is dedicated to spurring people to think about what they have taken for granted and to shed light on the issues people avoid talking about. As an Asian-American in her 20s, she is excited to explore more of the human experience as she herself journeys through life. Writing, rock climbing 5.12 routes, and playing various instruments have resulted in the formation of many calluses on her hands over the years. When not engaging in her previously mentioned hobbies, Jelsa can be found at her local library with a stack of at least ten books, naming her various pens, or staring at her dog Waffles for inspiration.

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Blog Tour: Stupid Boy (Stupid in Love #2) by Cindy Miles

Stupid Boy (Stupid in Love #2)
by Cindy Miles
Publisher: TKA Distribution
Release Date: February 17th 2015

Synopsis:

From Cindy Miles, bestselling new adult author of STUPID GIRL, comes the next installment of her blockbuster Stupid in Love series – STUPID BOY. 

Brax Jenkins and Olivia Beaumont are the most envied couple at Winston University—but the so-called “virginity dare,” orchestrated by Brax’s old fraternity, almost tore them apart. Now, a new dare is taking shape, and it’s sure to set emotions ablaze--more than ever before.

Winston’s “It Girl” Harper Belle isn’t just president of the Deltas--she’s also a master at keeping her ugly past a secret. So, when the Kappas’ dare hits closer to home for her more than anyone realizes, she devises a competition of her own as payback. Three sorority sisters will seek out a notorious womanizer on campus and--unbeknownst their “mark”--secretly train him to be the perfect boyfriend. Always up for a challenge, Harper targets the biggest player she can find: Brax’s wickedly handsome foster brother Kane McCarthy.

But, Harper discovers there’s much more to Kane than girls, games, and partying. His easy smile belies the quiet, old soul reflected in his deep brown eyes. All it takes is one night, one secret laid bare, and one kiss from Kane to shift Harper’s world on its axis. Suddenly, the girl who’s always walked a straight and narrow path can’t think of anything else except losing control.

Read my review for Stupid Boy (Stupid in Love #2) by Cindy Miles

by Cindy Miles

1. 500 Miles by The Proclaimers

2. Two Young Hearts by Sabrina Carpenter

3. Lost by Kodaline

4. Believe by Mumford and Sons

5. Dream by Imagine Dragons

6. Fight Song by Rachel Platten

7. Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran

8. Call Off the Dawn by Joy

9. The Fall by The Native Sibling

10. Seven Days by Mighty Oaks

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Cindy Miles is the best-selling author of twelve novels, one anthology and three short stories. She also writes as Elle Jasper, and grew up on the salt marshes of the Vernon River in Savannah, Georgia.

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Release Day Launch: Silent Night (Night Songs Collection #4) by Kristen Strassel

We're excited to celebrate the release of SILENT NIGHT by Kristen Strassel!

Silent Night (Night Songs Collection #4)
by Kristen Strassel

Release Date: November 18, 2014
Age: NA
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Cover Designer: Nathalia Suellen 

Synopsis:

This Christmas isn’t about celebration for eighteen-year-old Kyndra, it’s about survival. Grieving the loss of her grandmother and struggling with the indifference of her family, Kyndra now splits her time between her dead-end mall job, her junkie ex-boyfriend’s bed, and the streets. Longing to be close to her grandmother one more time, she wanders into Christmas Eve mass and prays she’ll find the place she belongs. Home.

Aidan isn’t ready to let go of the past either, even though he’s had nearly three hundred years to do it. He chronicles the search for the reincarnation of his beloved wife as the vampire romance author Allison Duprois. Aidan knows the wife he mourns is out there, but fears writing their story is as close as he will get to her. 

At Christmas Eve mass, he finally finds her. Alone, with no place to go. 

Aidan brings Kyndra into his home, and gives her the safety, comfort and love she longs for. Though he gives her second chances she never thought she’d have, Kyndra still can’t get over Aidan’s mysterious past. Not to mention that he claims that he’s a vampire. Life alone on the streets is dangerous enough without handing her trust and love to the wrong person. Can Aidan break through the walls around Kyndra’s hardened heart to convince her that she belongs with him, forever?

Silent Night

by Kristen Strassel

“I need to borrow your pajamas again.” 

“Follow me.” Aidan waved his hand towards the hallway. I didn’t know if he heard me or not. I wouldn’t ask again. The shadows swallowed him before he clicked the light at the end of the hallway. “I hope it’s alright. I cleaned it up, and I’m limited on short notice. With my lifestyle, I can only go to all night stores.”

He led me into an oddly shaped room, with floor to ceiling dark wood bookshelves loaded with even more books. How could one person even hope to read so many books in one lifetime? In a nook, under more shelves, was a freshly made bed with a fluffy white spread and aqua throw pillows. A pair of pink and black pajamas were folded at the foot of the bed, on top of a silver throw.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. “Did you do this for me?” 

Aidan’s smile was so wide it hardly fit on his face. “I did.”

I sunk down on the bed, head in my hands. “It’s too much.”

I felt his hands on my wrists, cool from just coming in from the car. Electricity flowed from his skin to mine, sending waves beneath the surface. Was this the first time he actually touched me? “I just want you to have a place you know you can come to. No questions asked.”

Hot tears slipped down my cheeks. Why was he doing this? Why did this man I’d met two days before today care about me more than my own mother? She didn’t even call me this week. I tried to bury that hurt deep, but it bounced out when I least expected it. Being with Aidan, the pain faded, and I couldn’t remember why I wanted to fight to get away from him anymore.

“I can’t pay for this,” I whispered, my voice still breaking.

“Let me do things for you.” He pressed his forehead against mine, not moving my hands away from my face. His skin felt so refreshing against my anxiety flushed skin. 

Lowering my hands, I had to force myself to meet his eyes. “Thank you.”

“My home is your home. Really. I did food shopping, too.”

“So, when you found me tonight,” I worked up the nerve to ask, “was that an accident?”

“Nothing in this world is an accident, Kyndra.” He stopped at the door, then closed it quietly behind him, leaving me to stare at it after he left me alone in this haven created just for me.

I was afraid to touch anything. Aidan left me in a snow globe and I didn’t want to break the glass. I curled up in a ball, clutching one of the pillows at the head of the bed. My head pounded, but my body so desperately wanted to let go of all the tension that had built up since I gave the keys to Memere’s apartment back. 

I wanted to stay. Here.

Sitting up, I ran my finger along the edge of the piping on the pajamas. They were classic button down pjs with pinstripes, but adorned with little black stars and star buttons. The flannel felt like a hug as I pulled them on. As soon as my brain wound down to the same level as my tired body, I would be ready to sleep forever. 

A book would help me relax. Ignoring the e-reader in my bag, I went straight for the wall of books. I noticed some repeats from the living room, namely the Allison Duprois books. I pulled out the hardcover version of A Piece of My Heart.

I hadn’t read these books since junior high. Memere had been a little concerned they were too mature for me, but she didn’t want to discourage me from reading. I couldn’t remember the order the series went in, so I skimmed the opening pages for the information. 

First Printing, 1990.

My eyes couldn’t leave those words. That was not only six years before I was born, but twenty four years ago.

Aidan didn’t look much more than thirty. Thirty-five at most. He would have barely been a teenager at most in 1990. Tearing my eyes away from the book, I looked at the closed door. My heart pounded so hard it threatened to jump out of the neckline of my new pajamas.

This didn’t add up. 

Maybe he just looked really good for his age. It was possible, with plastic surgery and manscaping and gross things like that. But Aidan didn’t seem like someone who’d be vain enough to go through all of that. This was someone who hid behind a secret identity. So maybe he would be vain enough to alter his face. Maybe I was just wrong about how old he was, but that didn’t make me feel any better. If he was old enough to be my father, that was gross on a whole other level.

I couldn’t lie to myself, I was falling for this guy. Or who I thought this guy was.

Putting the book down, I went back to the book shelf, checking the original publishing dates for all of the Allison Duprois books. So many early nineties. An anthology had a publishing date of 1988. This wasn’t a mistake.

Whatever the answer was, Aidan had lied to me about something.

Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross. She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are. She’s worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world’s worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and author. She loves sunshine, live music, the middle of nowhere, and finding new things to put in her house.

Christmas stocking filled with book themed goodies + signed print copy of Silent Night

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