Emily Fortney Guest Post

Hi Readers,

I am so excited to say Emily Fortney is taking over my blog post today! I hope you enjoy this guest post. I loved reading about her book and writing process & I can’t wait for you to learn about her too.

So without further ado…

I’m so excited to be on Jessica’s blog today! She was kind enough to let me take over her blog and tell you a little about me and what I write. My name is Emily. I’m the author of a young adult fantasy series called The Camilla Crim series. A little about me, I live in central Pennsylvania (or PA as we call it), with my husband and my rescue cat, Philippe. I’m a very cliché writer in that I’m addicted to coffee!
When Jessica and I were emailing back and forth about this article, I described my books to her as “light” fantasy with a dystopian vibe. I’m not obtuse enough to put my books on the same writing level as Suzanne Collins but I have been told they have a Hunger Games feel. And let me tell you, I won’t turn away that kind of compliment!

The first book in the series, The Sacrifice of One, centers around my main character, Camilla Crim. She’ll turn into a feisty, defiant heroine by the end of the book, but she’s not there just yet. When you first open the book, she’s just a 17-year-old girl that’s been branded as a slave and forced to labor at The Supreme Ruler’s national farm for a pitiful payout. She lives in a town where nearly everyone is impoverished, and nearly everyone makes the sad walk to work at the farm every day. It’s the only way to survive in Bear Gap. What little bit of money Camilla does make, just gets passed off to her drunkard father. Camilla’s days are bleak. The only good thing in her life is best friend and big brother, Tuor. One day after work, Camilla finds out that Tuor is in trouble. He’s being accused of a heinous murder. He’s being hunted down by the governor, who wants Tuor’s head on a pike for his crime. The problem is, Tuor is innocent, or at least Camilla thinks he is. By the time she figures out who’s behind this plot, it might be too late for Tuor, and he’ll have to face the execution block. Camilla has to accept the truth. Will Tuor have to be sacrificed for the good of many?

Like many authors, I drew my inspiration for The Sacrifice of One from my surroundings. Many of the names come from things I saw growing up. For instance, Camilla lives in a territory called Bear Gap. I got this name from a town north of me in Pennsylvania. There’s a big billboard with that name on it that I used to pass by when I was driving in that area. For some reason it stuck with me and I used it in my book!

Although The Sacrifice of One is not the first book I ever wrote, it is the one dearest to my heart. The character of Camilla had been in my mind for years before I ever wrote her onto paper. I always pictured a confident, female warrior of sorts. This book is really about how Camilla grows into that persona. It’s truly a coming of age story.

If you’re new this series and would like to try it out, I’m offering the eBook version of The Sacrifice of One for FREE to anyone who signs up for my email newsletter. And if you fall in love with Camilla there are 3 other books in the series you can binge on! CLICK HERE to instantly download The Sacrifice of One.

It has been truly an honor to guest post on Jessica’s blog today and to share with all of you about my book and my favorite character to write.

Thanks again to Jessica for letting me stop in!

Happy Reading!
Emily

Author Bio:
Emily has come a long way from building forts in the woods behind her childhood home. She’s the author of the The Sacrifice of One, the first book in a thrilling, young adult fantasy series. Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, Emily currently resides with her husband and shelter cat, and is vigilant about keeping her house well stocked with dark chocolate.

Blurb:
The proof of 17-year-old Camilla’s slavery is on the inside of her arm. A mutilated scar has been branded into her skin, W for Warwick. Forced to labor at Warwick’s national farm for a pitiful payout, the only good thing in Camilla’s life is her best friend and big brother, Tuor. When Camilla receives a mysterious note from a stranger, she has to face the truth about her brother: He’s on the run. He’s in grave danger. And he’s being accused of a hideous crime. Camilla would bet her life that someone has set him up, but who? If Camilla can’t prove Tuor’s innocence, he’ll have to face the executioner.
As Tuor’s demise draws near, will Camilla find relief in learning the truth surrounding her brother’s crime? Or will she accept that he must be sacrificed for the good of many?

Purchase Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0LB2H1
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sacrifice-of-one-emily-
fortney/1137127081?ean=2940162837282
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-sacrifice-of-one/id1516725794
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-sacrifice-of-one

Website and Social links:
Website: www.emilyfortney.com
Email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/g0x0bH
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEmilyFortney/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authoremilyfortney/pins/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Emily_Fortney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoremilyfortney/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14217558.Emily_Fortney
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/EmilyFortney

Sorry and IG Book Review Roundup

Hi Readers,

So I am sorry that it has been so long. I was dealing with some kidney stone issues and a few other health issues this summer unfortunately and ended up just focusing on my bookstagram account more than my blog.

I want to try to chance that though.

I cannot promise that I will be able to post weekly, but I will try to post monthly or at the very least way more often than before.

With that being said, I wanted to do a roundup of a few reviews I wrote on my bookstagram and put them here for you to view.

I will also like the original bookstagram reviews to all of these posts.

Thank you!

Book Review Roundup:

#1 In The Penalty Box by: Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount

I am not usually someone who is into sport books. However, this book is something I am definitely a fan of. The story was intriguing, the romance was really cute, and the characters were complex & unique outside of their relationships. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from @lynnrushwrites and @kellyanneblount. Whether you are a fan of Hockey or not, this book has a little something for everyone.

4 Stars

#2 Muted by Tami Charles (ARC)

I recently read an ARC of Muted by @tamiwrites and it was amazing. I loved the lyrical writing style, the format of the story, the characters, the fact that I could not tell where the book was going to go, the bittersweet ending, and just so much more. This is definitely a YA book you need to be on the look out for in February.
.
Thank you @scholasticinc for sending me this ARC.

4 Stars

#3 The Pastel Effect by Arly Carmack

I recently read The Pastel Effect and it was great. I read it in less than 24 hours and this book was extremely captivating. The characters felt real, the story went in unexpected places, and I really like the different topics explored in this book. If you’re looking for a romance that will pull you in, then I definitely recommend The Pastel Effect. Thank you @arlycarmack for providing a copy of this book to me in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars

#4 This Will be Funny Someday by Katie Henry (ARC)

I recently read an ARC of This Will Be Funny Someday by @kt_nre. I have read Katie Henry’s books and I can’t begin to explain how much I loved this book. Standup comedy is really unique In books or at least from my reading experience. So to find a YA book that has a MC who is a comedian. I loved the characters in this book and the story . I especially loved the fact that this book discusses topics like women in comedy and how people are treated differently in comedy. Not only that, the book showcases an emotionally abusive relationship and even treatment of women in different fields. The topics in this book are handled extremely well, the characters are fleshed out & three dimensional, and even some of the jokes made me chuckle. I think everyone should give this book a chance and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you do.
.

#5 Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass (ARC)

Ana on the Edge is a terrific book. I really love the journey the story takes the reader on and how it explores themes of identity, family, friendships, and interests (in this case figure skating). I am not usually a big reader of books about sports, but I have to admit this book definitely has a lot to offer for both fans and non fans of sports. In fact, it even made me want to try skating. I really enjoyed this story and I think readers of all ages will enjoy it as well.

4 Stars

Thank you so much and until next time dear readers.

-Jessica

Amelia Unabridged eARC Mini Review

Dear Readers,

It may sound strange to rate a book 5 stars that made you cry at least 3 times. Amelia Unabridged is the type of book that makes you feel so many different emotions. One minute your smiling due to something a character said or how someone acted in a certain situation and other times you are trying to hold back tears as you read about a young girl experiencing so much grief and confusion.

This book was amazing from beginning to the very end. The pacing was fast enough to keep me interested, but it knew when to slow down and let certain scenes breathe. The characters felt like real people and even the setting felt like a little Michigan town that I would want to visit too (especially Val’s bookstore.).

I really don’t know what else to say about this book, but I know you won’t regret reading it. This book will make you feel emotions that you may want to feel or may even not want to feel. But this is a story that will make you feel, care, and want to know more…which is what every good book should do. And Amelia Unabridged is definitely a good book to say the least.

As always please like, comment, and follow.

Until next time dear readers.

-Jessica

5 out of 5 stars
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

I was sent this ebook by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover Photo Credit Link

 

I Hate You Fuller James Review

I love books that start out with a simple or somewhat cliche story but ends up being a lot more than that. Kelly Anne Blount’s I Hate You Fuller James is just that story.

Wren Carter and Fuller James are the last two people who anyone at their high school (them included) would expect to be spending any time together. When a food fight and Fuller’s failing grade in AP Lit causes Wren to have to tutor Fuller, they both are not so thrilled about the arrangement to say the least. To hide all of this Fuller makes a bet with his teammates that he could get Wren to come to a game as his girlfriend. Things get even more complicated though when as time goes on both Wren and Fuller realize there may be more to each other and their relationship than they ever would have thought.

The first reason I really enjoyed this book is the depth that it has. On the outside and even from the description you may think this book is just another teen rom-com novel that is filled with cliches and predictable events. And though this book does have some of that (though to be fair almost every romance book I think has this), the book has way more depth in its content than you would initially think. Both Wren and Fuller have family members at home with medical issues and whom they worry & care about deeply. For Wren it is her grandfather who has Dementia. For Fuller it is his younger brother with Brittle Bone Disease. I really like Fuller’s Brother, Hudson, who has a deep love of Deadpool. There is even a really cute moment with him at the end of the book relating to Deadpool that I won’t dare give away. The discussion and seriousness this book takes from even the material they are reading was just top notch. The book even is able to take the serious moments and balance them with the lighter or romantic moments really well.

The second reason I really liked this book was the romance itself and use of POVs or Point of Views Chapters. I could  really see the chemistry between the two characters and enjoyed reading from both of their POVs. I am not usually a big fan of books with multiple points of view. Blount did a great job though of being able to have two distinct points of views never feel dull or boring. I wanted to read both of their voices and I did not feel a desire to go back to Wren or Fuller’s chapters when I was reading the book. This is a big problem for me in regards to multiple point of view books. So the fact that I was able to read the book and not feel that way is a great plus. Like I said the chemistry between Fuller & Wren is undeniable and you’ll especially enjoy it if you enjoy the “nerd and popular person get together” trope or even a little bit of “enemies to lovers.”

The final reason I enjoyed this book was storytelling. The writing in this book never really left me with something to be desired (except a little at the end, but I will get to that in a minute). I raced through this book in a few hours and I did not ever really wanna put it down. There were a few slower moments, but those did have a purpose that helped move the story and romance along.

If I had to say one thing that kept me from giving this book a perfect 5 stars it was that there is something at the end that happens that I don’t think gets really the attention or mention it should have gotten in the epilogue. I understand that is how things are sometimes, but it felt like something that was well deserved, but sadly did not happen or at least given the amount of time I was hoping it would. There were also a few lines throughout the book that are spoken aloud that I thought would have been better as thoughts or as slightly rewritten lines to make them sound more realistic. Regardless though, these are just small knit picky criticism that did not have a huge overall affect on the book. This is still a book I would highly recommend.

Overall, this was a sweet and more serious book than what I was expecting. I loved almost every second of it though and I hope you will fall in love with the characters & story as well. If you are in the mood for a short & sweet contemporary romance then I Hate You Fuller James may be just what you need.

As always please like, comment, and follow.

Until next time dear readers.

-Jessica

4 out of 5 Stars

**** out of *****

 

I was sent this ebook & cover photo by the author in exchange for an honest review on my blog. 

Everything’s Not Fine ARC Review

 

Everything’s Not Fine is the kind of book that will draw you in and you won’t want to stop.

Everything’s Not Fine by Sarah Carlson is about a teen named Rose Hemmersbach whose mother has just overdosed on heroin. Now her family is dealing with social workers, struggling to keep the house clean and children out of trouble, and their grandmother suddenly being back in the picture. Not only that, there is also a new boy at school that she may be developing feelings for and her college applications looming ahead. Will things be okay for Rose and her family?

Note: Sorry if the summary was terrible.

The first thing I really liked about this book was the writing. The style of writing the author choose was very descriptive and captivating. The book has some build up, but for the most part it seems to get right into the story. The book is at a pace that is slow enough to allow you to get to know the characters, setting, and other factors of the book. However, it is also fast enough to keep you entertained and engaged till the very end.

Something else I enjoyed about the story was the character of Rose. Rose is sorta cynical and serious a lot of times. This is completely justified and understandable though based on the life she had. I feel like the story was not only extremely realistic, but the characters as well especially Rose. Her character writing was spot on and you can definitely root and empathize with Rose.

Finally, I really felt like Sarah Carlson did well in terms of realism. While this somewhat goes back to the character writing, I feel like every character and the actions taken by the characters were completely understandable and justified. Not only that, the story itself felt very brutally honest and truthful in terms of the situation that Rose and her family are in. I really felt like the author knew what she was talking about and did her research. Those are two things I really appreciate in authors and Carlson nailed them both.

If I had to say one issue, I felt like there were a few times when the book could be a little slow than I had hoped. For the most part it was pretty balanced, but I wished there were a few more lines of dialouge instead of descriptions in some of the spaces. This is just a small nit pick though and in no way should it defer anyone from reading this amazing book.

This book is honest, realistic, heartfelt, and filled with great characters. If you’re looking for a book that really takes a look at how a teen can be impacted by parents and drug use then please pick up Everything’s Not Fine in May.

Until next time dear readers.

-Jessica

I was sent this ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit Link 

 

What You Wish For by Katherine Center ARC Review

 Dear Readers,

I finished this book in a few hours and if I do that you know it is either a really short book or a really good one…in this case it was the latter.

Katherine Center’s What You Wish For is the story of a Texas school librarian named Samantha Casey. When the principal of the school – and the man who is like a father to Samantha – dies & Duncan Carpenter, a new principal of the school she works at is hired, Samantha is worried. This fun loving and goofy man is someone she had such a big crush on that it drove her to quit her previous job and move to her new home. However, Samantha’s worries soon are altered as the man before her is one who not only barely remembers her, but barely seems to resemble his old self as he is now a no nonsense principal with an obsession with school safety and security. Samantha was planning to quit, but now she feels it is her duty to her town, her coworkers, students, and friends to help fight Duncan on his rules and help keep the school a happy and fun loving place. While trying to change Duncan though, she may start to see some changes in herself as well…changes that include the return of old romantic feelings for Duncan.

I really love Katherine Center’s writing. She makes the story and characters especially come alive. I can picture every person, setting, and even the colors so vibrantly and realistically. It felt like I was reading about real people at some points rather than a fiction novel. Center’s books are perfect for anyone craving a good romantic comedy.

This novel also does a good job for the most part with balancing drama, comedy, romance, and family. The book tackles some darker themes, but it does so in a really mature and respectful way (similar to Center’s other books). This book handles the balancing of different themes splendidly. You will definitely find yourself getting both heartbroken and happy at different times while reading this book. There is no denying that.

There are only 2 reasons I did not give this book 5 stars. The first is I felt the build up at the beginning regarding why Samantha left was a bit of a let down. It felt like it was building up to something a little more than what happened and I felt a little disappointed especially since previous books by Center featured plot lines that felt a little more dramatic regarding why the main character was in the predicament they were in.

The second reason is I wanted a little more with the ending. I have read some of Center’s other novels and I felt like books like Things You Save In a Fire or How To Walk Away had epilogues with a little more finality and explanations regarding the future of the characters. There were some, but Center usually really ties up every loose ends and leaves the audience with everything tied up in a neat little bow. That is one of my biggest appeals for her and I did not really feel that when it came to this book. I’d like to point out that this is just an ARC and not the finished copy. A lot could changed between then and now, but I did just want to note this was my initial reaction after reading the ARC.

Overall, I really liked this book. I am not sure if I enjoyed it as much as Things You Save in a Fire or How To Walk Away, but I did like it. The characters are unique, the writing really helps the story come to life, and theme balance is done brilliantly. Besides those two little points (that again may be altered by the time the finished copy comes out), I really liked this book. If you are a fan of Katherine’s then I think this book will be a great addition to your collection. If you are a new fan of Katherine’s and wish to see what her books are like, then I think this may be potentially a good place to start. Whichever type of fan you are (or even if you are not a fan at all), this is one book you won’t want to miss out on come July.

As always please like, comment, and follow.

Until next time dear readers.

-Jessica

 

 

I received this eARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Tips for Being a Book Publicity and Marketing Assistant

Dear Readers,

For the past year or so I have been working as a freelance/remote book publicity and marketing assistant. It is a great way to earn money in my spare time and I get the chance to help so many different authors, publishes, presses, readers, and books through my work. I am really passionate about what I do and I wanted to give you tips on how to get into this business as well.

Here are 5 tips to help you start your own book publicity & marketing assistant business:

 

1. Don’t Do It For the Money 

Freelancing can be a great experience and way to earn extra money. However, you won’t make enough to survive on probably just doing that (unless you have tons and tons of clients). I can make an extra couple hundred bucks a month which is nothing to sneeze about, but it is not enough where you will be able to make a living wage off of (again at least in my experience). This is just to say keep your expectations at a reasonable amount regarding compensation. And even though it may not be a ton of money, you can still make a decent amount of extra cash for the month to help you pay for rent, gas, or even just to have some extra cash for entertainment can be great.

2. Build Up Your Own Profile First 

You may wanna jump right in and start pitching to authors right away. First though it is good to try and get as much book marketing and publicity experience and skills before doing so. This does not have to mean internships or working for free (though those things can’t hurt if you are able to do so). Reading and reviewing ARCs or books on a blog can help. Also being well versed in various social media accounts and even posting about books on those accounts can help. Making your own content to promote books can help you understand not only how to promote books in the future, but it can help you with building a following and good understanding of the book community.

3. Educate Yourself 

Follow people who are influencers in the book community and authors similar to those who you want to or will be working for. Seeing how authors with similar statuses and genres to the books you would be or are working with run can be a great help to you in the long run.

4. Offer Creative Solutions 

Authors love to see creativity in their marketing & publicity campaigns and ideas. So try to offer those. It is good to offer a few basic services (posting photos they give you or editing a blog post), but giving authors unique ideas and helping them implement those ideas is a fantastic. If an author is writing a book about food offer to make their social media post about the book look like a menu or maybe you could try to pitch a book sale or event at a local restaurant instead of an indie bookstore or a bookstore that also has a cafe in it.  Going that extra mile can really help you.

5. Have Fun!

Freelance book marketing can be so much fun. It gives you a chance to be creative, learn new things, and make cool connections. So try to have as much fun with it and it won’t even feel like work someday. You know that quote about how “if you do what you love then you never have to work a day in your life”…well this is the perfect type of job for that if you love books, authors, and helping with book promotion.

 

Check out my portfolio for more information about my book marketing/publicity services and experience.

 

Please remember to follow, like, and comment.

Until next time dear readers.

-Jessica

Q&A with the Reel Bookish Box Creator: Montana G.

Dear Readers,

This week I was incredibly fortunate to interview the Reel Bookish Box’s creator Montana G.. Montana is the creator of Reel Bookish, a book subscription box that combines a love of film and books. This box provides both custom boxes and monthly book boxes based on various films with books ranging from YA to Adult.

I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary custom box to review. To see what I received in my box and my thoughts please click here.

1. How did you come up with the idea for a book subscription box?

I was a book blogger for several years and while there were so many subscription boxes I loved, I saw an opportunity for Reel Bookish as there were no combined film and book subscription boxes that I was aware of. I majored in Film & Media Arts in college and I wanted a way to combine the films I loved with the books I loved especially as they’re both universal means of storytelling. My initial challenge was figuring out a way to incorporate film without including a movie itself. 

2. Did you always know you wanted to create a book subscription box?

It was an idea in the back of my mind for about a year before we officially launched.

3. What is the funnest part of your job?

I love introducing people to movies they may not have seen or heard of! For the monthly boxes, we’ll typically offer additional movie recommendations based on the main film and book chosen. For our La La Land box, we tied in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – a 1953 musical starring Marilyn Monroe that’s one of my personal favorites! Finding an item that seems to fit perfectly to the box theme is very satisfying too.

4. What is the hardest part of your job?

As the box is so based around movies, the hardest part of my job is figuring out what items to pick that will appeal to people who may not have seen or may not be particularly interested in watching the chosen movie! There are always some films that are outside a person’s typical genre – I try to make the items ideally appeal to both fans and non-fans alike. 

5. Do you find creating a custom box harder or easier than the monthly box?

Creating the custom box was a bit harder as I couldn’t work with bulk quantities and had to search out particular items for each individual box. 

6. Do you have any movies or box you hope to create a themed box for in the future?

I would absolutely love to do future boxes that tie in with The Breakfast Club, Avengers, When Harry Met Sally, Legally Blonde, and The Princess Bride.

7. Do you have a favorite book to film adaptation?

It’s impossible to pick just one but my top favorites are To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Austenland, The Fault in Our Stars, and TheHunger Games: Catching Fire film adaptations.

8. How do you pick the movies or books you will use in your boxes (do you pick one first before the other)?

I have some movies in the back of my mind that I’m hoping to tie in with a box. Although it depends, I tend to pick the book first and figure out a film that best ties in with the book.

9. What do you like to do in your spare time when not creating and sending out book boxes?

I work in the events industry so I get to work with weddings and corporate events! In addition to that, I enjoy hiking and going to the beach. Of course, I love watching new movies and reading books 😊

10. Do you have any future boxes or ideas for future boxes you could give us a hint about?

Two of the boxes you can expect this fall are a Knives Out box and a Mamma Mia box! 😉 

 

There is currently a Cratejoy promotion where first-time subscribers can order their first box for $19.99 plus shipping.

For more information about Reel Bookish, please visit their website.

I want to thank Montana again for this Q&A.

Please remember to follow, like, and comment.

Until next time dear readers.

-Jessica

Photo Credit Link 

The Suicide Journal Review

Hi Readers.

Note: This book delves a bit into mental health and suicide. If you are not comfortable with reading about those subjects then I would suggest not picking up this book.

 

Dreams of Thunder Excerpt

Hi Everyone!

Today I have a real treat for you.

Christian Cura was nice enough to offer me an excerpt of his latest book, Dreams of Thunder, to share with all of you.

If you are a fan of magic and fantasy then this is the book for you.

I have attached the synopsis below as well as the buy link to the first book in this series since Dreams of Thunder has yet to be released.

I want to thank Christian and I hope you will all look into getting your hands on this latest fantasy fiction novel when it is released.

 

Synopsis: Magical outlaws roam free on the West Coast. The Enforcers are stretched thin in their efforts to stem the tide of chaos. The Council Headquarters is on the brink of assault and the lives of the Council members hang in the balance. At the center of it all, is Saba Qureshi, a woman scorned by the draconian measures of the Council. They executed her grandfather and robbed her family of their status and fortune. Now Saba is coming for them and she’s not alone…

 

Buy Link:

Amazon

Please remember to follow, like, and comment.

Until next time dear readers.

-Jessica